Accra, July 19, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued a provisional certificate of registration to United Renaissance Party (URP) in accordance with the Political Parties Act.

The URP led by Mr Kofi Wayo, a former member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was issued with the provisional certificate on Tuesday. "The Electoral Commission wishes to inform the general public that following its acceptance of the application for the registration of a political party by Mr Kofi Wayo and others, the EC has today, Tuesday, 18th July, 2006 issued a Provisional Certificate of Registration to the prospective party, United Renaissance Party (URP) in accordance with sections 8,9 and 10 of the Political Parties Act, 2000 Act 574," the EC said in a statement in Accra on Wednesday.

The EC said it had submitted a copy of the application form and Constitution of the URP to the Assembly Press for publication in the Ghana Gazette.

Consequently, the EC said in the statement signed by Mr Samuel Yorke-Aidoo, Director of Public Affairs, requested the general public to inspect the application and submit objections, if any.

The Act requires, among other things, that the prospective party's name, emblem, colour, motto or any other symbol had no ethnic, gender, regional, religious or other sectional connotation or gave the appearance that its activities were confined only to part of the country.

The Act also says no prospective political party shall submit to the EC for the purpose of registration any identifying symbol, slogan, colour or name which is the same as the symbol, slogan, colour or name of any other registered political party or that of the Republic of Ghana as to be likely to deceive or confuse members of the public.

"Act 574 requires that on expiration of 30 days after the date of the publication of the Gazette notice, the Commission shall, if satisfied that the relevant provision of the Act of registration have been complied with, register the political party."

The EC appealed to the general public to cooperate by indicating any objections within the statutory period for necessary action.