The chairman of Ghana’s main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) says his party does not accept the final outcome of the recent presidential election.
“We will not accept the results as it stands now because we have already established that the results as they stand now are fraudulent,” said Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey. “We are not going to take our matter to the streets, but we will take our matters to the Supreme Court. We are gathering robust evidence to support our case in the Supreme Court.”
The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared incumbent President John Dramani Mahama winner of last Friday’s presidential vote for his first full four-year term.
Supporters of President John Dramani Mahama celebrate in the streets after he was declared the winner of Ghana's presidential election, Accra, Ghana, December 9, 2012.
Supporters of President John Dramani Mahama celebrate in the streets after he was declared the winner of Ghana's presidential election, Accra, Ghana, December 9, 2012.
A woman casts her vote for the presidential election at a polling station in Accra, Ghana, December 7, 2012.
A man registers to vote at a polling station in Kibi, eastern Ghana, December 7, 2012.
People wait to vote at a polling station in Kibi, eastern Ghana, December 7, 2012.
Ghanaian presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo (L) of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) waves during his last rally at Sutherland Addy Children's Park in Accra, Ghana, December 5, 2012.
John Dramani Mahama (R), Ghana's interim president and National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, waves during his last electoral rally, Accra, Ghana, December 5, 2012.
Both local and international poll observers said Friday’s presidential, legislative and local balloting were peaceful, transparent, and credible.
But Chairman Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey says his party’s attorneys are gathering evidence to legally challenge the outcome of the vote.
“We are sure that we will have sufficient evidence to go to court at some stage and prove beyond all doubt that the results are fraudulent.”
He rejected accusations that the NPP officials are sore losers and are unwilling to accept defeat following the election.
“This is not about who is president or which party is in office. It is about strengthening the democratic practice in this country by using the law [and] courts,’” he said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the electoral body has welcomed the opposition’s decision to take its concerns to court, but maintains he stands by the final outcome of the presidential vote.
Clottey interview with Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, NPP chairman