The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) have expressed their worry concerning the growing partisan controversy that has been stoked by the declaration of the results of the 2020 elections by the EC.

Following the announcement of the election results by the Electoral Commission (EC) on Wednesday, December 9, the National Democratic Congress has rejected the results of the Presidential and insist that their candidate, John Mahama is the legitimate president-elect.

According to the NDC, the EC has manipulated figures in favour of the NPP, resulting in an outcome that favoured Akufo-Addo, giving him a second term of office as the president of the country. The NDC has since promised to resist the verdict through all possible means.

In view of this, IDEG has reminded all aggrieved parties of their promise in the peace pact signed days before the elections, and urged the aggrieved parties to appropriately address their concerns in court instead of resorting to violence.

"We however observed with growing concern that both the presidential and parliamentary elections results have stoked partisan controversy with both sides claiming victory.

"The disputed results have raised questions about the credibility of the outcome of the elections which can only be resolved in a court of law. Accordingly, we urge the aggrieved parties to resort to the court system to deal with the disputed aspects of the results instead of resorting to violence."

The statement added that as per the constitution of the country, only the courts have the mandate to investigate and resolve election-related disputes, and consequently advised all parties to channel their grievances accordingly.

“The courts have the mandate and the tools to investigate, review and resolve any election related disputes based on the evidence provided in a transparent manner.

“Moreover, the supreme court is not only an avenue for peaceful resolution of election conflicts, but also clarifying electoral rules and regulations in order to improve electoral standards and advance critical reforms in the electoral system as demonstrated by the supreme court of Ghana in 2013,” the IDEG stated in a press statement dated December 11, 2020.

The IDEG has appealed to the leaders and supporters of the two parties “to conduct themselves peacefully, mindful of the commitments their presidential candidates made by signing the Presidential Election Peace Pact on Thursday 4th December 2020 at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra.”

Furthermore, IDEG called on the National Chief Imam, the National Peace Council and the National House of Chiefs to engage and ensure the Electoral Commission acts with speed and efficiency to resolve all complaints.

“We appeal to all Ghanaians including our vibrant youth to honor the memory of the founding father of the Fourth Republic, former President Jerry John Rawlings, by maintaining the peace, stability and security of the nation.

“Going forward, we entreat that collectively as a nation, we renounce violence as an option for resolving electoral disputes,” the statement concluded.