Accra, Feb. 7, GNA - Candidates of five political parties and two independent candidates have filed their nominations to contest the controversial Wulensi Constituency by-election scheduled for February 20, 2003, the Electoral Commission announced on Friday.
The independent candidates are Mr Peter Oggah Magan, 35, a teacher and Alhaji Musah Ziblila, a 46-year-old trader.
The Commission said in a statement that Mr Inusah Natogmah, a 29-year-old teacher, is standing for the EGLE Party, Mr Wumbei Kofi Karim, a 47-year-old teacher, is standing on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Mr Mumuni Dawuda, 27, a teacher, is contesting on the ticket of the Democratic People's Party (DPP).
The rest are Mr John Saadan Njigur, a 48-year-old teacher who is standing for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr Daniel Okpanul Niwubni, 33, a social worker, who filed for the People's National Convention (PNC).
Despite the controversy surrounding the disqualification of the NDC MP, Mr Samuel Nyimakan, the EC has confirmed preparations for the by-elections.
Mr Henry W. Okyne, Director of Public Affairs, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that the Commission is not party to the controversy as they are carrying out their constitutional mandate on the conduct of by-elections
He said the vote would be held at all polling stations in the constituency between 0700 hours and 1700 hours on voting day.
The Supreme Court on January 15 disqualified Mr Nyimakan by a majority decision from standing as a candidate for election in the constituency. The ruling followed a preliminary objection raised by Mr E.O Appiah, counsel for Mr Fuseini Zakaria of the constituency.
Counsel had prayed the Supreme Court to uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal, which earlier ruled in favour of the applicant that Mr Nyimakan did not qualify to feature as MP because he did not hail from the area.