Don't Stomach "Cheating" During Elections - Addison

Lead Counsel for the Petitioners in the on-going election petition suit, Philip Addison, has underscored the need for Ghanaians not to stomach "cheating" during elections. Philip Addison, who was giving his oral address before the nine-member Supreme Court justices stressed that "Proper elections, should give legitimacy to winners". Counsel for the petitioners established that if principles enshrined in the country's constitution are properly observed during an election, losing candidates and their supporters would be satisfied. He adds that this would allow �the country to develop peacefully�. However, he observed that if an election is won through fraud, cheating or by flouting the law, dissatisfied candidates and their followers might create �instability and disaffection for the population�. He explains that the essence of an election would be rendered as a farce, if candidates are allowed to cheat with numbers that might not even affect the outcome of the results. �Tolerating cheating and fraud in an election can imply that holding elections is not desirable or necessary. Proper elections, should give legitimacy to winners�, he stated.