UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Friday expressed his congratulations to Ghana for peacefully holding its presidential and parliamentary elections, calling for legal processes to resolve any electoral disputes.

The secretary-general congratulates the people of Ghana on the peaceful holding of their presidential and parliamentary elections, " said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesperson.

The UN chief extended his congratulations to President John Dramani Mahama, who won another term in office nearly one week ago, and all presidential candidates for their "exemplary conduct" throughout the campaigning period, and for their commitment to maintaining peace.

"The secretary-general takes note of the declaration of the final results by the Electoral Commission (EC), which he commends for its continued commitment to the professional and transparent organization of elections," said the statement.

While encouraging the concerned parties to continue use of legal means to resolve all disputes, Ban emphasized that all actions taken in this critical period should contribute to preserving peace and stability in Ghana.

Ghanaians went to the polls on Friday and Saturday to elect a president and a 275-member legislature.

According to the EC of Ghana, the incumbent President Mahama won the presidential election with 50.70 percent of the total valid votes cast, while his closest challenger, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the main opposition force, obtained 47.7 percent of the vote.

NPP accused the ruling National Democratic Congress of rigging the presidential election shortly after the announcement of the election results by EC Chairman Kwadwo Afari-Gyan on Sunday and rejected the outcome, pledging to bring the case to the country's Supreme Court.

On Nov. 27, seven presidential candidates contesting this year' s elections signed a peace declaration in Kumasi, about 270 kilometers northwest of the capital Accra, vowing to call their supporters to order when the need arose so as to ensure a peaceful election process.