The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday said calls by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the NDC to concede defeat and allow the NPP to form the next government without a re-run of elections is a big joke. In a telephone interview with the GNA, Mr George Quaynor-Mettle, Propaganda Secretary of the NDC said: "It would be a big joke for us to throw in the towel at this stage."

After the first round of election last Thursday, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor of the NPP polled 48.35 per cent of total votes cast and Professor John Atta Mills of the NDC polled 44.9 per cent.

The five other candidates shared the rest of the votes. Since no party won the required 50 per cent plus one of the total votes cast to be declared the outright winner, a run-off would be held in 21 days after the declaration of the result between the top two contestants.

Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, on Sunday said the run-off is estimated at about 15 billion cedis. Following Dr. Afari-Gyan's estimation, Mr. Dan Botwe, General Secretary of the NPP, called on the NDC to "throw in the towel and save the country 15 billion cedis."

Mr. Botwe said it is obvious from the pattern of voting in the first round and the declaration of the four small parties to support the NPP that "it is will be a waste of time and money for the NDC to contest the second round."

But Mr Quaynor-Mettle said: "the NPP's call for the NDC to give up is not only a joke but also to serve their selfish political interest."

"The NPP should stop pretending as if their prime motive is to save Ghana 15 billion cedis," he said. "We are not ready to disappoint the millions of Ghanaians who believe in our ability to move this country forward."

Mr Quaynor-Mettle said the NDC is currently preparing its campaign strategy for the second round poll. "It is too early at this stage to discuss our strategies," he said. "In due course we will come to the press with a complete package of how we intend to win the second round of election." He said he is optimistic that the NDC would win the run-off.