The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified five presidential aspirants from contesting in the December 7 general elections while twelve other candidates have been given the green light.
This was made known by the chairperson of the commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, in Accra on Monday when she updated the public on the status of the presidential candidates who filed their nominations ahead of the elections.
Speaking on the disqualification, she said forged signatures, as well as the manufacturing of endorsees, led to the disqualification of the five aspirants. As such, the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been noticed for further investigation.
The affected candidates include two independent presidential nominees; Kofi Koranteng and Marricke Kofi Gane, and three political party-sponsored nominees; Akwasi Addae Odike of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Kwasi Busumbru of the People’s Action Party (PAP) and Nana Agyenim Boateng of the United Front Party (UFP).
She also mentioned that the GH₡100,000 filing fee would be refunded to the disqualified candidates.
Meanwhile, twelve candidates have been given the green light to contest in the December 7 polls. According to the EC, these candidates fulfilled the necessary requirement when they filed their nomination.
The candidates include; Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (New Patriotic Party), John Dramani Mahama National Democratic Congress), Alfred Aseidu Walker (Independent), Bridgette Dzorgbenuku (Progressive People’s Party), Akua Donkor (Ghana Freedom Party) and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (National Democratic Party).
The rest are Hassan Ayariga (All People’s Congress) Ivor Greenstreet (Convention People’s Party), Kofi Akpaloo (Liberal Party of Ghana), David Apasera (People’s National Convention), Christian Kwabena Andrews (Ghana Union Movement) and Henry Herbert Lartey (Great Consolidated Popular Party).
She entreated political parties and stakeholders with concerns to bring them up so as to ensure they are addressed rather than discredit a thorough and credible electoral process.
Constance Evans-Kekrebesi, ISD
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