General News of Friday, 28 October 2016

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

High court rules in Nduom's favour; EC to reverse disqualification

Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, Flagbearer  of PPP play videoDr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, Flagbearer of PPP

An Accra High court has reversed a decision by the Electoral Commission to disqualify flagbearer of the Progressive Peoples Party from contesting the December 7 elections.

Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and 12 others were disqualified from contesting the presidency weeks ago after they failed to meet requirements set out in CI 94.

The PPP flagbearer following his disqualification, filed a writ seeking an order from the courts to prohibit the Electoral Commission from placing only four presidential candidates on the ballot paper. He also prayed the court to quash the EC's decision to disqualify him from the presidential race.

Having filed the writ shortly after his disqualification, the EC after entering appearance also filed for an abridgement of time to fast-track the hearing.

The case was thus heard on Monday, October 24 and judgement set for Friday. On Friday morning, High Court judge Justice Eric Kyei Baffuor ordered the Electoral Commission to allow PPP Flagbearer Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom correct anomalies detected on his nomination forms - basis on which the PPP flagbearer was disqualified.

According to Justice Kyei Baffuor, arguments by lawyer for the EC that the court does not have the power to revoke the EC's decision was pedestrian. The ruling means the PPP presidential candidate now has the opportunity to rectify the discrepancies with his forms and if succesful, be added to the four contesting this year's presidential elections.