2016 elections will not be easy for Mahama or Nana Addo - Irbard

Irbard Ibrahim, a political analyst, international relations and security expert has in an interview with Nyankonton Mu Nsem, said that, the turnout from December 7, polls will either go for President Mahama or his closest contender, Nana Akufo Addo, who is contesting on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for the third time.

So far, about 22 parties and independent candidates have picked nominations to contest as presidential aspirants in the 2016 general polls.

However, political analysts have drawn the line between the incumbent President who is seeking re-election and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who is contesting for the third time and possibly the last.

Irbard Ibrahim in the interview noted that, we should not pretend that the election will not produce a winner hence, the need for political parties to prepare for any outcome from the polls.

He was speaking on the need for us to draw lessons from the recent clashes recorded from the ongoing transfer exercise. He said, the results will not be a draw, adding that, "there is going to be a winner; Nana Addo can win, President Mahama can also win. Those are the two possible outcomes.

In a worst case scenario, if these two big parties are unable to win in the first round, then we have to go for a run-off. And in most instances, when the incumbent is unable to win the first round, they lose the run-off.

So fundamentally, with this year's election; any party that may lose, will express pain and disappointment. I can't imagine the NPP without Nana Addo if they lose in 2016. And I can't imagine The NDC without His Excellency John Dramani Mahama if he also loses the election.

So it is going to be extremely difficult for both political parties to win. He urged stakeholders including the media to promote peace, discourage hate speech and blacklist politicians who campaign on vilification instead of issue based politics.

He also urged the EC to be transparent and ensure that, they organise a credible election.