Don't lose hope - EC tells disqualified aspirants

13:18 - 18 October 2016

Speaking at a media engagement in Tamale, a Deputy Commissioner of the commission, Mr Amadu Sulley said the EC acted in accordance with the law in its decision to disqualify the said aspirants and would therefore do same if the law states otherwise.

The Electoral Commission has assured the disqualified presidential aspirants in this year’s election that all hope is not lost for them as the Commission is ready to accept their candidature if compelled by a court to do so.

The EC, last week Monday, announced the disqualification of 12 aspirants for failing to meet the criteria for filing as president.

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The presidential nominees disqualified included flag bearer of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga; Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC); Dr Agyenim Boateng of the United Front Party (UFP); and Kofi Akpaloo of the Independent People’s Party (IPP); Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD).

The others include: Dr Henry Herbert Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP); Mr Richard Nixon Tetteh (United Development Systems Party); Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings of the National Democratic Party (NDP); Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP); Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker, an independent candidate, and Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP). Mr Akwasi Addae Odike of the United Progressive Party’s nomination is on hold pending a court case.

Many, including the PPP, NDP, GCPP have filed suits against the EC for disqualifying them.

But Mr Amadu Sulley said the EC is not perturbed by the lawsuits filed by most of the disqualified candidates.

The media interaction was jointly organised by the EC and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to enable media practitioners in the region to interact with the EC officials in order to have a better understanding of the work of the commission.The Executive Director of MFWA, Mr Sulemana Braimah, asked the media to ensure free, fair and credible elections this year.