The Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) and the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) are convinced that the entire leadership of the two major political parties — NDC and NPP — will demonstrate their commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law and democratic development by accepting the Supreme Court's verdict on the 2012 election petition.
''We expect them, regardless of any disappointment, to issue a constructive public statement immediately after the Supreme Court's ruling, that contributes to restoring our sense of belonging to one nation, one people with a common destiny'', a joint statement by the civil society groups said.
The joint statement was issued by the two organisations in collaboration with other civil society organisations at a press conference in Accra yesterday.
The statement issued ahead of the August 29 Supreme Court's verdict on the 2012 presidential election results petition was read on behalf of the civil society groups by Prof. Miranda Greenstreet, co-chair of CODEO.
The joint statement said civil society groups had been heartened by the verbal assurances from leaders and supporters of the political parties to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court.
The statement reminded the leaders that civil society intended to hold them to their promises.
According to the statement, the political maturity and tolerance exhibited by the parties would amount to nothing, if any of them rejected the Supreme Court's ruling because of partisan and parochial considerations.
It said should such unconstructive actions occur, ''we stand united as citizens and citizen groups to roundly condemn them'', the statement stressed.
According to the joint statement, the civil society groups recognised the right of litigating parties to disagree with a court's verdict but said that accepting the Supreme Court's verdict in this particular case is an obligation and accords respect for the rule of law.
The statement, however, said it would not preclude their rights to go for review, if any of them so wished, since the Supreme Court is still going to be the final adjudicator in the management of electoral disputes at the presidential level.
Source: Daily Graphic
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