Politics of Friday, 14 October 2016

Source: classfmonline.com

Electoral Commission vindictive, unfair - PPP

Papa Kwesi Nduom  Progressive People Papa Kwesi Nduom Progressive People

The decision of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to disqualify some flag bearers, including Dr Kwesi Nduom, from the 2016 presidential race reflects an institution which is biased and spiteful, the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has accused.

The party, argued that the EC faulted in disqualifying Dr Nduom.

According to the policy advisor of the party, Kofi Asamoah Siaw, who addressed a press conference in Accra on Friday, October 14, the “EC commissioners are vindictive,” adding that the rejection of Dr Nduom’s forms “was an unfair treatment and the EC cannot tell us that this (error) was not a simple mistake”.

It also accused the EC of displaying favouritism towards the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during the vetting of his nomination forms but rather saw it fit to disqualify presidential aspirants of some other political parties.

According to Mr Siaw, Mr Akufo-Addo lied under oath, with regards to the declaration of his assets, a situation that should have disqualified him.

He said: “So, the question we are asking is that, why did the EC overlook this offence and pass these candidates without raising any issue? Is this not a matter of selective justice? ...The EC chairperson is a lawyer and must know this. We understand that Nana Akufo-Addo did not comply with this requirement and we cite him for false declaration, but he stands qualified per the EC’s decision as a presidential candidate. This is a clear selective application of the EC’s own laws.”

They have, therefore, entreated the National Chief Imam, the Christian Council of Ghana, the National Peace Council, and the Ghana Bar Association to “call the EC to order” and reinstate Dr Nduom.

To them, “The commission is out of control and could plunge this country into chaos and we need to take steps to reverse this trend.”