The letter was written in his capacity as a private citizen backed by Article 21 (1) (f) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

His fear, which has been expressed by some Ghanaians, is due to the Commission’s current legal tussle with political parties whose presidential aspirants were disqualified from participating in the elections, with barely a month to the election.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Ax1KkFoH54ox9JH32qR3V4qlgKKqZT8S”]In Mr. Ampaw’s view, the Commission’s assurance that it is on top of issues and that it would meet the election timetable, is not enough.

Mr. Ampaw requests the Commission to respond to his questions by Wednesday November 9, 2016.

Below is the letter dated November 3, 2016.
3rd November 2016.

The Electoral Commission,
Head Office,
Accra.

Attn: Mrs. Charlotte Osei, Chairperson.

Dear Madam

RE: ELECTION TIMETABLE AND 7TH DECEMBER 2016 GENERAL ELECITONS

I write to you as a citizen of the republic because of my anxiety that the general elections scheduled for 7th December 2016 might not come off. My anxiety, which unfortunately is shared by many well-meaning citizens, stems from the continuing legal battles between the Commission and several presidential aspirants, who have been disqualified by the Commission.

This is against the backdrop of the incontestable proposition that the deadline permitted by the Constitution, under article 63 (2) (a) thereof, for the conduct of presidential elections is 7th December 2016.

At the same time, I have observed that the Commission has been quick to assure the nation that it is on top of the issues, that there is no reason for citizens to be agitated that the elections might not come on as scheduled, and that the Commission will definitely not only supervise a successful conduct of general elections on 7th December 2016, but will deliver the most successful and efficient, free, fair and credible elections Ghana has ever experienced.

While I have no reason to doubt the sincerity of the assurances of the Commission, you will agree with me that the anxieties of many Ghanaians, including myself, would largely be laid to rest if you could provide direct answers to the following specific questions that I ask below.

Let me, for the avoidance of doubt, state clearly that I ask the questions set out below in exercise of my fundamental human right under Article 21 (1) (f) of the Constitution of the Republic which
guarantees “every person” “the right to information, subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary in a democratic society”.

Fortunately, I am unaware of any qualifications or laws that would permit the Commission to deny me this right in the instant case. I accordingly proceed to ask of the Commission the following questions:

1.In the Commission’s considered judgment, and all things being equal, when does the Commission project that the current spate of law suits involving it and those presidential aspirants, whom the Commission has disqualified for stated reasons, will end to enable the Commission carry out the ballot for positions of the presidential candidates on the ballot paper?

2.When in the Commission’s considered judgment will the ballot papers for the presidential candidates for the 2016 elections be printed and ready for the December 2016 elections?

3.Are the other election materials, such as the Statement of Poll for the Office of Member of Parliament and Statement of Poll for the Office of President (popularly referred to as “pink sheets”); the Certificate to be Endorsed on Writ (Form EL1 B for parliamentary elections) and the Certificate to be Endorsed on Writ (Form EL 1 B for presidential elections); and the Parliamentary Elections – Results Collation Form (Form EL 23A) and the Presidential Elections-Result Collation Form (Form EL 23B) already printed out and ready for use for the December 2016 elections?

4.If they are already printed out, when were they so printed?

5.If these materials have not already been printed out, when, in the judgment of the Commission, will they be printed out and be in the custody of the Commission to ensure the conduct of general elections on 7th December 2016?

6. Will these election materials be printed in Ghana or abroad?

7.Finally, when, in the judgment of the Commission, would be the last date that it should have concluded the current law suits it is involved in as a party and should have printed all relevant elections materials, as set out above, to ensure that it is able to conduct and supervise the December 2016 presidential elections?

Madam Chairperson, it would, with respect, be very much appreciated if you could furnish me with the Commission’s written answers to each of these questions within the shortest possible time, and certainly, by Wednesday, 9th November 2016.

Yours faithfully,
Akoto Ampaw

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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Anxiety over election timetable: Akoto Ampaw writes to EC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking on The Ghana Report TV show on Monday, Mr Ampaw expressed shock at the move by the Commission, given the limited number of days to the country’s general elections.

He told host, Bernard Avle that, “the principles for ‘certiorari’ when you apply to the high court to quash a decision of an inferior tribunal like the Electoral Commission (EC) are not the same as the principles required to quash a decision of the High Court by the Supreme Court.’’

Mr Akoto Ampaw suggested that the EC may not succeed in its bid to have the judgement overturned at the Supreme Court.

He argued that the superior courts are assumed to know the law hence such cases against its judgement at the Supreme Court can only be won on the grounds of conditions including the lack of jurisdiction or the principles of natural justice.

‘PPP floors EC in court’

On Friday October, 29, an Accra High Court ruled in favour of the flagbearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom who challenged his disqualification from the presidential contest in the 2016 elections by the Electoral Commission.

The EC had disqualified Dr Nduom due to some errors it had identified in the latter’s nomination forms but the court, presided over by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour directed the commission to allow Dr. Nduom correct the errors on the nomination form and be afforded the opportunity to contest in the elections.

The court noted that the EC erred in its decision and disobeyed its own rule stated in Regulation 9 in the CI 94.
‘EC runs to Supreme Court over High court judgement’

Electoral Commission on Monday [October 31], said it will appeal the High Court judgement that quashed Dr Nduom’s disqualification from the December 7 presidential polls.

A statement signed by the Head of Communications at the EC, Kofi Dzakpasu, said the commission has filed an application for review of the ruling at the Supreme Court to seek clarity on the matter.

The statement said its decision to disqualify the aspirant, is in the interest of public policy and credibility of the electoral process.

“In the interest of public policy and the credibility of the electoral process, the Commission has today [Monday, October 31, 2016] filed an application at the Supreme Court to quash the High Court decision and seek clarity on the relevant aspects of the law on candidate nominations,” the statement said.

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By: Gifty Tracy Aminu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Withdraw Supreme Court lawsuit – Akoto Ampaw urges EC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.