General News of Thursday, 18 October 2012

Source: Kojo Smith

File today or forget it - EC Warns

The Electoral Commission of Ghana has served notice the deadline for filing of nomination papers for political parties to contest the December 7 elections would not be extended. This comes after the Commission on Wednesday 16 October accepted documents of two political parties to contest the December 7 elections.

Only the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and debutants, the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), have filed their nominations with the EC. All the other parties have until 5pm on Thursday, October 18 to file theirs.

Speaking on an Accra based radio station, Mrs. Sylvia Annor, Principal Public Relations Officer of the EC, said it was very unusual of the political parties to delay in the filing of their nomination forms. She said the EC will not extend the date hence all parties must do well to file before the deadline.

Meanwhile, the PPP has filed their nomination forms. The leadership, consisting of the flagbearer, Papa Kwesi Nduom and his running mate Ms. Eva Lokko and Chairman Nii Allotey Brew-Hammond were present.

Dr Nduom stated that in all, 206 candidates of the PPP would contest for parliament therefore he is hopeful that come December 7, Ghanaians would go out to vote massively for the party.

The chairman of the EC, Dr Afari Gyan accepted the nomination papers and confirmed Dr. Nduom as the presidential candidate for the PPP.

The opposition New Patriotic Party on filing their nomination form was lead by party Chairman Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey and accompanied by running- mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and other NPP big shots.