Four political parties have so far picked up presidential nomination forms in a bid to unseat incumbent President John Mahama in the December 7 general elections.
Kofi Akpaloo of the Independent People’s party (IPP), Madam Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Akwasi Addai Odike of the United Progressive Party (UPP) and Nana Agyenim- Boateng of the United Front Party (UFP) all picked up forms on Tuesday at the Electoral Commission head office in Accra.
The flag bearer of the IPP, Kofi Akpaloo reiterated his commitment to form an all-inclusive government if given the nod in December.
“We want to tell everybody that in everything we will be the first. When it comes to launching manifesto we were the first party to launch our manifesto, we were the first party to pick the nomination forms and we will also be the first party to return it. We want to be the first party on the ballot and we want to win the elections too.”
“We believe that if we come together as a people we should be able to transform our economy so if you an NDC or NPP or whatever party you belong to, so far as you have a good heart, and good spirit and good intention to serve mother Ghana, we are going to invite you into our government to give the people what they need,” added.
All the presidential and parliamentary candidates are expected to submit their completed forms by the end of September 2016.
Parties lament high filing fees
The Electoral Commission had earlier received a wave of bashing from some political parties for pegging presidential and parliamentary filing fees at GHc50, 000 and GHc10, 000 respectively; an amount they complain is too high.
Some of the parties including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have expressed reservations about the amount, saying it would only limit the electioneering process to a privileged few.
EC to consider review of ‘exorbitant’ filing fees
Meanwhile the Electoral Commission (EC) has said it will soon meet to consider whether or not to review the amount.
Speaking to Citi News, the Head of Communications at the EC, Eric Dzakpasu, said the commission will meet to deliberate on the way forward.
“The commission has taken notice of the concerns and that the commission will meet and decide if there is a possibility of a review and that if there is a review it will be communicated to the political parties,” he added.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin