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The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has appealed to all political parties and media houses not to declare the results of the December 7, 2012 polls. It stated that the Electoral Commission (EC) was the only body mandated by law to declare the official winner of the elections. It also urged all political party leaders to exhibit a high sense of statesmanship by undertaking to accept election results declared by the EC, saying that �they should be magnanimous in the victory and gracious in defeat�. �All political parties and media houses are reminded to desist from declaring any result that have not been authorized by the electoral officers,� stated the association. These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the plenary session of the Catholic Bishops' Conference and read by its President, the Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, in Koforidua at the weekend. The week-long conference was held on the theme: �The Church; family of God in Ghana at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace� and was attended by four archbishops and 14 bishops of the church across the country. �After the declaration of result, we urge all to continue in the spirit of togetherness to join forces to build Mother Ghana. We appeal to all citizens to adopt a spirit of oneness and solidarity,� Most Rev. Osei-Bonsu stated. The Most Rev. Osei-Bonsu noted that in less than a month, the country would be going to the polls to elect the President and Members of Parliament. �Since we have successfully conducted these elections several times in the past, we should benefit from the mistakes and success of the past elections to make the impending elections even more successful,� he stated. He reminded Ghanaians that they owed it to themselves, as one big family to safeguard the electoral process for the peace they all cherished. �All Ghanaians, especially politicians, need to be reminded that politics, like religion, is devoted to the service of personal and social vocation of the same human being and politics should thus promote the integral development of all citizens as one family,� he stated. He, therefore, called on the government, the EC, leadership of political parties and their supporters, the security agencies, the media and all peace-loving Ghanaians to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties. �All Ghanaians have a stake and should protect peaceful electoral process,� Most Rev. Osei-Bonsu sated, adding that �election, in governance; it can facilitate or hinder development depending on how it is managed�. He also urged Ghanaians, especially Christians, to go out in their numbers to exercise their franchise on December 7, 2012 and that �participation in the political life, in the light of fundamental moral principles, is, and all people of goodwill.� �We, therefore, encourage all registered voters to be vigilant as they exercise their franchise. To decide not to vote is to neglect your duty and run the risk of leaving others to decide your future for you,� he added.