The Electoral Commission has recently announced the opening of nominations for presidential and parliamentary candidates on September 9, ahead of the December polls.

Over the years, some presidential candidates have suffered the fate of getting disqualified by the electoral body over minor errors.

In 2016, 12 candidates were disqualified by the Charlotte Osei-led electoral commission, reducing the number to only four qualified candidates.

However, after contesting their disqualification in court, 3 of the disqualified candidates won against the EC paving the way for them to contest.

In 2020, 5 candidates were also disqualified from contesting the elections as there were several problems with their nomination documents including IT issues.

Some of these individuals who have suffered disqualification by the EC include Hassan Ayariga of the All People’s Congress (APC), Kofi Akpaloo, an independent candidate, Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party and many others.

One may want to know how such learned and knowledgeable individuals were not able to do the needful and got themselves disqualified.

The following are the key criteria for presidential candidates:

1. Forms must be signed by candidate

2. Forms must be signed by two registered voters in every district (432 valid endorsements required)

3. One voter cannot endorse more than one presidential candidate

4. Vice President nominee must be named and must meet constitutional requirements for the office of Vice President

5. Properly filled forms must be delivered to the Returning officer on or before the date appointed for receipt of nominations

6. Forms should be submitted in quadruplicates

7. Forms should include properly attested statutory declarations stating that candidate has provided accurate details to the Commission, has met all the requirements and is qualified for the office of President

8. 4 pictures in accordance with dimensions and specifications in the law

9. Payment of filing fees as determined by the Commission

On the back of these requirements, here are the grounds on which a presidential candidate can get disqualified from contesting the elections per the statutes regulating the filing of nominations:

The Commission may disqualify a candidate if one of these requirements is not met. For instance:

1. The nomination form is not properly signed by the candidate

2. The statutory declaration is not properly executed

3. Filing fees not presented in requested mode or amount

4. Less than two registered voters per district sign the nomination forms

5. The nomination forms are not properly signed by all the subscribing voters

6. The candidate or the designated vice president nominee does not meet the legal requirements of the nominated office.

MAG/NOQ