A pre-election assessment team from the West African Elders Forum on Monday, October 7, 2024 called on the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama in Accra.
And according to Mr. John Mahama, the Electoral Commission’s (EC) preparations ahead of the poll have not been satisfactory.
“There have been few issues bubbling back and forth with the EC, with issues to do with the register. We all want a peaceful election, but peaceful election is predicated on the ground works and preparations that is done before the elections,” the former president told the forum led by former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan.
“If we get everything right, in the lead up to the election, then the election will be peaceful and successful”.
He further added that, with collaboration between the stakeholders, the polls would be incident-free as has been the case since 1992.
“We are committed to a peaceful election, and we believe that if we cooperate with each other, especially with the EC that is supposed to be the neutral arbiter and umpire, we should be able to get it right again.”
The former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan on his part commended Ghana for being the trailblazer in democratic practice on the continent.
He said though there have disputes that are resolved through the judicial system, “compared to many other African countries, Ghana is in a positive side and a good example of the practice of democracy”.
Human factor, he identified, has been the source of chaos and if election would fail or be successful, there is always a human factor hence the need to engage the stakeholders.
According to the former Nigerian President, it is important to avoid any speculations ahead of the poll because “if citizens disagree with an electoral result, that means things have not been done transparently”.
Former President Jonathan urged the media to uphold the ethical standards of journalism and exhibit neutrality in the discharge of its duties.
The Mission is also expected to meet with other candidates, the EC, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders.
The West Africa Elders Forum is made up of former Presidents and statesmen in West African states and works towards promoting peace and progress in the sub-region.
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