Multiple lawsuits against EC won't affect December vote - Atuguba

The lawyer for the Peoples National Conventions presidential nominee, Dr Raymond Atuguba, has said the December 7 presidential election will not be affected by the suits that are currently being mounted against the Electoral Commission (EC).

According to him, unless Ghana is at war, the December 7 polls will proceed as scheduled.

The PNC's Edward Mahama, the Independent People's Party's (IPP) Kofi Akplalo and Nana Konadu's NDP are currently in court challenging their disqualification.

Also, the Supreme Court on Monday will rule on whether a high court ruling in favour of Dr Ndoum should hold or not.

The ruling will affect all other suit filed against the Electoral Commission (EC) by the remaining other disqualified presidential nominees.

But speaking on Citi FM's "Big Issue" Saturday, November 5, Dr Atuguba said:“The December 7 presidential elections will not be affected by the suits that are currently being mounted against the Electoral Commission.

"In other words, on December 7, unless Ghana is at war or there is really a grievous situation, December 7 polls will proceed as planned.”

“The constitution provides that the time for presidential election must be between four months and one month before the tenure of a sitting President constitutionally expires," he argued.

Explaining instances that could lead to the postponement of the December vote, Atuguba held that unless the president or the vice president dies in a case of a run-off.

“Now the tenure of a sitting President constitutionally expires in our current circumstances at midnight on the 6th of December; so whatever happens and in order not to avoid any constitutional crisis, the presidential elections must be held on 7 December,” he said.

“In the case of a run-off or when both the President and the Vice President dies and the Speaker becomes acting President within three months,” he said.