The PNC has said it will head to the Supreme Court to further extend the nomination period if it does not receive all the copies by 8:00 am today [Tuesday].

[contextly_sidebar id=”F4uJwcNMPULP7SUkfRdEcJc0t9s3i6Hb”]This was contained in a letter addressed to the EC after the Supreme Court ordered the Commission to extend the nomination period to 5:00 pm today.

In the letter, the PNC said to the EC, “we notice that you have presented back to us only a single copy of nomination forms, whilst we submitted the forms in quadruplicate. We understand that you are entitled to keep copies of the original nomination forms submitted to you. You may even keep the originals and avail us copies of all four nomination forms.”

The PNC explained that its demand was “to ensure that all minor errors across the 4 sets of nomination forms and not just one are carefully and thoroughly addressed.”

“We are unable to do this without the originals or copies of all the nomination forms submitted in triplicate. Please be advised that unless we receive the originals of copies of all the four nomination forms, we will be unable to commence the arduous process of correcting the minor errors in the forms,” the letter added.

Thus the PNC served notice of its ultimatum saying, “If we do not receive the quadruplicate originals or copies of all the nomination forms we submitted by 8 am tomorrow morning of the 8^th of November, we will be compelled to invoke the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to order that we be given the originals or copies and to extend the time which we may make the said corrections.”

The PNC Flagbearer and 12 other presidential aspirants were handed a lifeline by the Supreme Court’s order of extension after they were initially disqualified from the presidential race after varying errors were detected on their filed nomination forms.

Dr. Mahama in particular was disqualified on the grounds that some of the subscribers who endorsed his nomination forms from the regions, forged signatures while others endorsed more than one candidate.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The PPP is also challenging the EC’s decision to disqualify its presidential aspirant, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, from the presidential race.

The party has since said it will go to the Supreme Court if the High Court hearing its case against the EC fails to rule in its favour.

In response to a query on what the party would do if the judgment on Friday does not go the PPP’s way, Lawyer for the party, Ayikoi Otoo simply said, “we will go to the Supreme Court.”

Background

Dr. Nduom was disqualified along with  12 other presidential aspirants after anomalies were cited in his filed nomination forms.

At the last hearing of this case on October 20, the court granted an application by the EC to abridge the time for the hearing of the injunction suit from going ahead with the processes to conduct elections in December.

According to its writ, the PPP is seeking an order of prohibition to restrain the EC from proceeding with balloting for position of presidential candidates for the 7th December elections.

The plaintiff is also seeking “…a further order directed against the 1st Respondent in her capacity as Returning Officer for Presidential elections to grant the Applicant the opportunity to amend and alter the one anomaly found in his nomination papers as well as accept his nomination papers as amended or altered to enable him contest as a Presidential Candidate for the 7th December 2016 elections.”

The suit has Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom as the exparte applicant, Charlotte Osei, the EC Chairperson, as the first respondent, and the EC as the second respondent.

The writ noted that, “Hon. J. Ayikoi Otoo, Counsel for and on behalf of the applicant, will move this Honourable Court praying for an order for Judicial Review by way of Certiorari to bring to this Court the decision of the Respondents dated 10th October, 2016, which disqualified the Applicant as a Presidential Candidate for the 2016 General Elections, for purposes of having same quashed upon the grounds of… (1) Breach of the rules of natural justice (2) Error apparent on the face of the record and (3) Failing to live the requirement as imposed by law.”

Prior to this  court action, Dr. Nduom had met with the EC boss to get her to rescind her decision, but the meeting ended with no hope for the renowned entrepreneur who was making a third and last attempt at the presidency.

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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Court to rule on PPP case on Friday appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the lawyer for the EC, Thaddeus Sory, the EC is an independent body therefore it cannot take instructions from any other body.

Sory said this during the hearing in which the PPP is praying the court to restrain the Commission from proceeding with balloting for positions for presidential candidates ahead of the 2016 polls.

The PPP is also challenging the EC’s decision to disqualify its presidential aspirant, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, from the presidential race.

Background

Dr. Nduom was disqualified along with  12 other presidential aspirants after anomalies were cited in his filed nomination forms.

At the last hearing on October 20, the court granted an application by the EC to abridge the time for the hearing of the injunction suit from going ahead with the processes to conduct elections in December.

According to its writ, the PPP was seeking an order of prohibition to restrain the EC from proceeding with balloting for position of presidential candidates for the 7th December elections.

The plaintiff is also seeking “…a further order directed against the 1st Respondent in her capacity as Returning Officer for Presidential elections to grant the Applicant the opportunity to amend and alter the one anomaly found in his nomination papers as well as accept his nomination papers as amended or altered to enable him contest as a Presidential Candidate for the 7th December 2016 elections.”

The suit has Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom as the exparte applicant, Charlotte Osei, the EC Chairperson, as the first respondent, and the EC as the second respondent.

The writ noted that, “Hon. J. Ayikoi Otoo, Counsel for and on behalf of the applicant, will move this Honourable Court praying for an order for Judicial Review by way of Certiorari to bring to this Court the decision of the Respondents dated 10th October, 2016, which disqualified the Applicant as a Presidential Candidate for the 2016 General Elections, for purposes of having same quashed upon the grounds of… (1) Breach of the rules of natural justice (2) Error apparent on the face of the record and (3) Failing to live the requirement as imposed by law.”

Prior to this  court action, Dr. Nduom had met with the EC boss to get her to rescind her decision, but the meeting ended with no hope for the renowned entrepreneur who was making a third and last attempt at the presidency.

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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We can’t be forced to accept Nduom’s forms – EC challenges Court appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

It is also challenging the EC’s decision to disqualify its presidential aspirant, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, from the presidential race. Dr. Nduom was disqualified together with eleven other presidential aspirants.

[contextly_sidebar id=”t7azUpNziBWnQWcYuYKWrdbpTaAMMENW”]Dr. Nduom was disqualified along with  12 other presidential aspirants after anomalies were cited in his filed nomination forms.

At the last hearing, the court granted an application by the EC to abridge the time for the hearing of the injunction suit from going ahead with the processes to conduct elections in December.

The PPP is seeking “an order of prohibition to restrain the EC from proceeding with balloting for position of presidential candidates for the 7th December elections.

The plaintiff is also seeking “…a further order directed against the 1st Respondent in her capacity as Returning Officer for Presidential elections to grant the Applicant the opportunity to amend and alter the one anomaly found in his nomination papers as well as accept his nomination papers as amended or altered to enable him contest as a Presidential Candidate for the 7th December 2016 elections.”

The suit has Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom as the exparte applicant, Charlotte Osei, the EC Chairperson, as the first respondent, and the EC as the second respondent.

The writ noted that, “Hon. J. Ayikoi Otoo, Counsel for and on behalf of the applicant, will move this Honourable Court praying for an order for Judicial Review by way of Certiorari to bring to this Court the decision of the Respondents dated 10th October, 2016, which disqualified the Applicant as a Presidential Candidate for the 2016 General Elections, for purposes of having same quashed upon the grounds of… (1) Breach of the rules of natural justice (2) Error apparent on the face of the record and (3) Failing to live the requirement as imposed by law.”

Prior to this  court action, Dr. Nduom had met with the EC boss to get her to rescind her decision, but the meeting ended with no hope for the renowned entrepreneur who was making a third and last attempt at the presidency.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nduom disqualification: Court hears PPP’s case against EC today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

These offenses included cases of multiple registrations, forgery of signatures, and multiple endorsements of presidential nominees.

[contextly_sidebar id=”wpVoGN1PNRDXDZbLBIUNzqCLKdAjrQQX”]This comes on the back of the disqualification of 13 presidential nominees whose forms were endorsed by such persons. According to the EC, these acts are criminal in nature, hence their decision to ask the Attorney General to prosecute such persons.

The Deputy Director of Communications at the Commission, Yussif Ayuba, revealed to Citi News that the “Electoral Commission has compiled such persons and duly forwarded to the police for prosecution and now it is in the domain of the police.”

He noted that “there are various degrees of offenses that have been referred. Some are forgery, some are impersonation,” though he could not say when the investigations would commence.

When the EC was explaining reasons for the disqualification of the various aspirants, it noted that the the culprits fell foul of the following sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29): Section 211: Perjury, Section 248: making false declaration etc. for office or voting, Section 251: Deceiving a public officer and Section 256: Corruption, intimidation and impersonation in respect of election.

Evidence of some of the offenses were seen in the forms of the Progressive People’s Party’s (PPP) aspirant, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, the All People’s Congress’ Hassan Ayariga, and the Independent People’s Party’s (IFP) Kofi Akpaloo, among others.

In the case of Dr. Nduom, the EC revealed that one of the subscribers who endorsed his nomination form was found to be legitimately on the register of the Volta Region, yet he went ahead to sign the forms in the Central Region as well with different signatures. The name of the subscriber was given as Richard Aseda.

The IPP’s Kofi Akpaloo, Hassan Ayariga of the APC, Dr. Nana Agyenim Boateng of the United Front Party, Dr. Henry Herbert Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) and Thomas Nuako Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party, similarly had multiple subscribers having different signatures on the nomination forms, again raising questions as to the legitimacy of the signatures.

In the case of the Reformed Democrat’s Party (RDP) Kwabena Adjei, two subscribers for his forms were not registered voters as they are on the exclusion list for multiple registrations, according to the EC.

The two persons are listed as Stephen Owusu and Fusheini Mariama/ Abdulai Mariama; both possessing two voter ID cards each.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EC refers ‘criminal endorsements’ to police appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the party, the EC and its Chairperson were happy to disqualify most of the aspirants.

Dr. Henry Lartey was disqualified by the Commission, alongside 12 other aspirants, for not providing the personal records of his running mate among other things.

At a press conference today [Thursday], Lawyer Maurice Ampaw, speaking on behalf of Dr. Lartey, accused the Commission of unfairly disqualifying the GCPP flagbearer as it failed to alert him to the errors on his forms.

Mr. Ampaw said the EC Chair was “behaving like a teacher who has set exams and you have 17 students and 13 are failing and then you are happy.”

“So when they brought the form, you saw it [the errors], you kept quiet, you allowed time to run and you knew that you could bring this thing to their attention within the subsequent period.”

“What will the nation benefit from disqualifying those who have proven beyond reasonable doubt that they are capable of running the affairs of this nation… We are telling you that your posture cannot help this country,”  the lawyer concluded.

Konadu also blames EC

Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, has also demanded that the EC allow her to contest the 2016 polls as the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDP) following what she described as her “illegal” disqualification from the race.

Nana Konadu also blamed the EC and its Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, for the shortcomings in her nomination forms that led to her disqualification from the race.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC she firmly stated, “I want my name back on the list, that I am standing as a presidential candidate for the National Democratic Party and she has illegally removed my name from it. She should do what is right and legal in this country.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EC behaving like a teacher happy to see his students fail – Ampaw appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Nana Konadu blamed the EC and its Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, for the shortcomings in her nomination forms that led to her disqualification from the race along with 12 other aspirants.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7ZWCTPMxoQFwm1D5xCABrBRkefdf4pRa”]This disqualification is the second successive one for the NDP Flagbearer after same 2012 following some errors in the filing of her nomination forms.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC she firmly stated, “I want my name back on the list, that I am standing as a presidential candidate for the National Democratic Party and she has illegally removed my name from it. She should do what is right and legal in this country.”

Nana Konadu also had some more harsh words for the EC describing its systems as bogus and accused the EC of violating its own regulations.

“It is completely the Electoral Commission’s fault because the Electoral Commission has violated section 9 of CI 94 which obligates her to actually ask us to come and check our forms if she finds anything wrong with it. If there is an anomaly, it is her responsibility to call us,” she asserted.

Nana Konadu and her running mate, Kojo Mensah Sosuh, have already petitioned the Commission to reinstate them, after the disqualification and have also threatened a lawsuit.

Why Nana Konadu was disqualified

In explaining the NDP Flagbearers disqualification, the EC said it was unable to accept Nana Konadu’s nomination because the number of subscribers to her forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation 7 (2) (b) of CI 94.

One subscriber on page 89 of her nomination forms was not a validly registered voter, and illegally registered twice hence was on the Exclusion list of multiple voters.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Konadu blames EC for ‘illegal’ disqualification appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, has defended the disqualification of 13 presidential hopefuls who failed to satisfy the necessary electoral requirements.

The Peoples National Convention’s (PNC) Dr. Edward Nasigri Mahama, the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP)’s Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum and the National Democratic Party (NDP)’s Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings were among the major casualties.

[contextly_sidebar id=”1xEwyxhEJUi1DPPj6nb1zCGfyYXu0Gnm”]The EC’s Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, at a media interaction in Tamale, said the EC is unperturbed about the legal threats issued by some of the aggrieved parties.

She emphasized that the constitutionally mandated electoral body did nothing wrong.

According to her, the disqualified Presidential hopefuls should have done due diligence to avoid the unpardonable infractions detected on their nomination forms.

She however said her outfit is ready to dialogue with leaders of the affected political parties, and urged the media to liaise with the EC to conduct a world class election on December 7.

A Deputy Commissioner of the EC, Amadu Sulley, posited that the Electoral Commission would be compelled to reinstate any of the disqualified Presidential hopefuls if a court of competent jurisdiction decides otherwise.

He insisted that, the EC is a law abiding institution and will always operate in line with constitutional requirements. Amadu Sulley raised alarm over the continuous amendment of the 2016 electoral calendar for the December 7 polls.

He thereby called for ceasefire on political parties frequent litigation on the pre-electoral processes.

The EC’s Director of Communications, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, debunked claims that disqualification of the 13 Presidential hopefuls amounted to political victimization or witch hunting.

He maintained that the EC acted within the remit of the law and could not be blamed for the mishap. Eric Kofi Dzakpasu reechoed the need for the affected political parties to remain calm and cooperate with the EC to deliver its mandate on December 7.

He also served notice that the EC would respond to any litigation from the political parties whose Presidential hopefuls were disqualified.

He reaffirmed the EC’s neutrality in conducting free, fair and transparent elections.

The media interaction was meant to deepen the EC’s relationship with the media under the auspices of the Media Foundation for West Africa.

Convener of the EC-media interaction, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Braimah, said the platform was meant to equip the media with the skills needed ahead of the December 7 polls.

He asked the participants to take advantage of the EC officials’ contributions to accurately and objectively discharge their duties on the election day.

The participants asked questions relating to vote transfer, media participation in special voting and rejected ballots. The EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei in earlier met the Clergy in Tamale, the Interior Minister and other concerned bodies.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’ll face disqualified aspirants in court – EC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

All the disqualified aspirants failed to meet the necessary requirements in filling their forms; and a number of them had inconsistencies in the endorsement of their forms by subscribers, with the Electoral Commission (EC) citing forgery and fraud in some of the endorsements.

[contextly_sidebar id=”6uHl2YvwHWIDBhbUSHg7XxZYIc4zivsC”]Among the disqualified aspirants were Hassan Ayariga of the All People’s Congress (APC), the People’s National Convention’s (PNC) Dr. Edward Mahama, the Progressive People’s Party’s (PPP) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, and 10 others.

In an interview with Citi News’ Umaru Sanda Amadu, Mr. Amoah, also the MP for Akuapem South, said the onus was on the parties to have simply done due diligence on the persons who endorsed their presidential nomination forms because all of them had access to the voter’s register to do the necessary checks.

“Every party by law is required to have access to the register,” he noted, but the caveat here is that the parties had to apply to get the register to make their checks like the NPP did.

In the NPP’s case in the Eastern Region, Mr. Amoah recounted that  “we all assembled at one place, two per district, and then you produce your voter’s ID card, and there is somebody behind the computer who is cross checking to make sure that the voter ID card is what is on the EC the list.”

“We don’t just see anybody on the list and say that I need an endorsement, come and endorse it for me. Sometimes we take things for granted.”

Mr. Amoah also indicated that, the presidential aspirants may have had very little to with the preparation of nomination forms.

“For instance, for presidential candidates, they will not be carrying their forms everywhere. They will give it to us to do the work for them. You don’t expect Nana Akufo-Addo to carry his forms across country. The party people, party officers would have to ensure that it is done. So if there is any lapse somewhere, it can create a problem for all of us.”

Court action may be futile

On the threats of a legal action against the EC, O. B Amoah held the view that, the plaintiffs may hit a snag because the EC appears to have acted within the ambit of the law as it clearly spelled out the criteria for the candidates.

“For some of the situations, I doubt even if the courts will be able to give them any remedy. If you don’t qualify under the constitution, you don’t qualify under the constitution… So if you go and fill a form and the information you give shows that you don’t qualify under the constitution, it will be very difficult for the courts to reverse what the EC has done.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Disqualified aspirants have themselves to blame – OB Amoah appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The disqualified aspirants include Hassan Ayariga’s All People’s Congress (APC), the People’s National Convention’s (PNC) Dr. Edward Mahama, the Progressive People’s Party’s (PPP) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, and other presidential aspirants from contesting in the December elections.

The EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, who made the announcement at a news conference, said those disqualified failed to meet the necessary requirements, hence their ineligibility to contest.

Find below the different reasons for which each of the aspirants were disqualified.

RECEIPT OF NOMINATIONS FOR 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

1. Key criteria for presidential candidates

1. Forms must be signed by candidate
2. Forms must be signed by two registered voters in every district (432 valid endorsements required)
3. One voter cannot endorse more than one presidential candidate
4. Vice President nominee must be named and must meet constitutional requirements for the office of Vice President
5. Properly filled forms must be delivered to the Returning officer on or before the date appointed for receipt of nominations
6. Forms should be submitted in quadruplicates
7. Forms should include properly attested statutory declarations stating that candidate has provided accurate details to the Commission, has met all the requirements and is qualified for the office of President.
8. 4 pictures in accordance with dimensions and specifications in the law
9. Payment of filing fees as determined by the Commission.

The Commission may disqualify a candidate if one of these requirements is not met.  For instance:

1. The nomination form is not properly signed by the candidate;
2. The statutory declaration is not properly executed;
3. Filing fees not presented in requested mode or amount;
4. Less than two registered voters per district sign the nomination forms;
5. The nomination forms are not properly signed by all the subscribing voters;
6. The candidate or the designated vice president nominee does not meet the legal requirements of the nominated office.

Prior to the close of nominations on the 29^th and 30^th September, candidates whose nomination forms had obvious errors and who submitted early enough, were called by the officers of the Commission and given the opportunity to correct obvious errors or omissions on their nomination forms. The Law permits such corrections only within the nomination period hence our earlier call on candidates to submit as early as possible.

Following the receipt of nomination forms last week, and the payment of filing fees earlier today, the EC is now in a position to announce candidates whose nominations have been accepted by the Electoral Commission having met the afore stated requirements.

1. Hassan Ayariga – All Peoples’ Congress (APC)

The Commission is unable to accept Dr. Ayariga’s nomination for the following reason:

1. The candidate did not provide evidence on his statutory declaration as to his hometown or residence in the constituency as per the legal requirements.

94. Two subscribers to Dr. Ayariga’s nominations also subscribed for another presidential candidate. This is in breach of Regulation 7(4) of CI 94. The implication is that the two subscribers are disqualified and therefore, Dr. Ayariga does not have the requisite number of subscribers under Regulation 7(2) (b) of CI 94. The details of the duplicate subscribers are as follows:

• Abaako Issifu (page 103)

Voter ID number 2988006876

PS code: J110202

• Abudu Ayuba (page 95)

Voter ID number 6303005554

PS code: H200201

In addition, the signatures of both voters are different on the two nomination forms. This raises questions as to the legitimacy of those signatures.

We will refer the matter of the possible forgeries of these signatures to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution in line with the following sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):

Section 211: Perjury

Section 248: making false declaration etc. for office or voting;

Section 251: Deceiving a public officer

Section 256: Corruption, Intimidation and personation in respect of election

2. Edward Nasigri Mahama – PNC

The Commission is unable to accept Dr. Mahama’s nomination for the following reasons:

28. Many subscribers did not properly sign the forms. Thumbprints, signatures or marks were omitted all together. For instance, no signatures on Page 16, 24, 28.

1. Two subscribers to Dr. Mahama’s nominations also subscribed for another presidential candidate. These are:
2. Abaako Issifu (page 103)

Voter ID number 2988006876

PS code: J110202

1. Abudu Ayuba (page 95)

Voter ID number 6303005554

PS code: H200201

As stated earlier, the signatures of both voters are different on the two nomination forms. This raises questions as to the legitimacy of those signatures.

We will refer the matter of the possible forgeries of these signatures to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution in line with the following sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):

Section 211: Perjury

Section 248: making false declaration etc. for office or voting;

Section 251: Deceiving a public officer

Section 256: Corruption, Intimidation and personation in respect of election

1. For a large majority of subscribers, the signature portion was ticked rather than subscribed with a signature, thumb print or mark.

It is important to point out that a simple tick does not satisfy the requirements of the law for where a mark is made in lieu of a signature or thumb print.

A mark in law is “an X made by a person who is illiterate or too weak to sign his/her full name.” According to the Free Law Dictionary, “On the rare occasion that this occurs, the “X” should be within or next to2  `1 a notation” indicating the person’s name or formally witnessed by another person to make the mark valid.  Accordingly, the Commission is unable to accept mere ticks, which have not been properly, witnessed as legitimate marks made by voters subscribing to Dr. Mahama’s forms.

In conclusion, Dr. Mahama does not have the requisite number of subscribers required under Regulation 7(2) (b) of CI 94 and his nomination cannot therefore be accepted.

3. Nana Agyenim Boateng – United Front Party

The Commission is unable to accept Dr. Boateng’s nomination because the number of his subscribers do not meet the minimum required under Regulation 7(2) (b) of CI 94.

The details are as follows:

94. One subscriber Amadu Babia Latifah with Voter ID number 3357006984, and Polling station K100401 supported the nomination of another candidate (page 110). This is in breach of Regulation 7 (4) of CI 94.

Further, the Subscriber has different signatures on both candidates’ nominations raising questions as to the legitimacy of the signature on both forms.

94. Three of Dr. Boateng’s subscribers supported the nomination of another candidate and again, with different signatures. This again is in breach of Regulation 7(4) of CI 94. Details are:

1. Alfred Yevuglo (page 35)

Voter ID no: 1270013632

Polling station code: D091201

1. Dagadu Raymond (page 35)

Voter ID no: 1270012857

Polling station code: D091201

• Adu Thomas (page 67)

Voter ID no: 3703013114

Polling station code: F310202

We will refer the matter of the possible forgeries of these signatures to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution in line with the following sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):

Section 211: Perjury

Section 248: making false declaration etc. for office or voting;

Section 251: Deceiving a public officer

Section 256: Corruption, Intimidation and personation in respect of election

4. Kofi Akpaloo- Independent People’s Party

The Commission is unable to accept Mr. Akpaloo’s nomination because the number of subscribers to Mr. Akpaloo’s forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation 7 (2) (b) of CI 94. The details are as follows:

94. Three subscribers supported the nomination of another candidate in breach of Regulation 7 (4) of CI 94. Again, the cross subscribers have different signatures on the nomination forms raising questions as to the legitimacy of these signatures.

These are:

1. Alfred Yevuglo (page 35)

Voter ID no: 1270013632

Polling station code: D091201

1. Dagadu Raymond (page 35)

Voter ID no: 1270012857

Polling station code: D091201

• Adu Thomas (page 67)

Voter ID no: 3703013114

Polling station code: F310202

We will refer the matter of the possible forgeries of these signatures to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution in line with the following sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):

Section 211: Perjury

Section 248: making false declaration etc. for office or voting;

Section 251: Deceiving a public officer

Section 256: Corruption, Intimidation and personation in respect of election.

5. Kwabena Adjei- Reform Patriotic Democrat

The Commission is unable to accept Mr. Adjei’s nomination because the number of subscribers to his forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation 7 (2) (b) of CI 94. The details are as follows:

Two subscribers to Mr. Adjei’s forms are not registered voters as they are on the Exclusion List for multiple registrations. Details are:

• Stephen Owusu (2012/2014) with voter IDs 2643005586 & 1490019583
• Fusheini Mariama/ Abdulai Mariama (4.2012/3. 2012) with voter IDs 2643005586 & 1490019583

We also call on the Ghana Police Service to investigate the named individuals for the electoral offence.

6. Papa Kwesi Nduom – Progressive People’s Party (PPP)

The Commission is unable to accept Dr. Nduom’s nomination because the number of subscribers to his forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation 7 (2) (b) of CI 94. The details are as follows:

• One subscriber Richard Aseda (‘Asida’ on the Voters’ Register), with Voter ID no 7812003957) endorsed the forms in two different districts (pages 21 and 39).

The subscriber was found to be on the Voter’s Register in one district thereby disqualifying his second subscription and reducing the total number of subscribers to below the minimum required by the Law.

The same subscriber (Richard Aseda (‘Asida’) endorsed the form with different signatures in both portions of the nomination form. This raises questions as to the legitimacy of one or both signatures.

We will refer the matter of the possible forgery of the signature(s) to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution in line with the following sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):

Section 211: Perjury

Section 248: making false declaration etc. for office or voting;

Section 251: Deceiving a public officer

Section 256: Corruption, Intimidation and personation in respect of election.

7. Dr. Henry Herbert Lartey – Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP)

The Commission is unable to accept Dr. Lartey’s nomination because the number of subscribers to his forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation 7 (2) (b) of CI 94. The details are as follows:

1. Pages 18 – 22 do not contain the signatures of subscribers as required by Law
2. Pages 14 – 17: Subscriptions are undated
3. The Personal records of the Vice Presidential candidate have not been provided.

1. One subscriber – Amadu Babia Latifah. With Voter ID number 3357006984 & Polling station K100401 (page 110) also supported the nomination of another candidate. This disqualifies both candidates endorsed  by the said voter.

Further, the said subscriber has different signatures on both candidates’ nominations raising questions as to the legitimacy of both signatures.

We will refer the matter of the possible forgeries of these signatures to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution in line with the following sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):

Section 211: Perjury

Section 248: making false declaration etc. for office or voting;

Section 251: Deceiving a public officer

Section 256: Corruption, Intimidation and personation in respect of election.

8. Richard Nixon Tetteh – United Development Systems Party

The Commission is unable to accept Mr. Tetteh’s nomination because the number of subscribers to his forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation 7 (2) (b) of CI 94.

The nomination forms were improperly filled and almost all subscribers to Mr. Tetteh’s forms have invalid voter ID numbers.

The candidate did not also pay the filing fee within the stipulated timeline.

9. Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings – National Democratic Party

The Commission is unable to accept Mrs. Rawlings’ nomination because the number of subscribers to her forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation 7 (2) (b) of CI 94.

• One subscriber on page 89 of her nomination forms is not a validly registered voter and illegally registered twice and so is on the Exclusion list of multiple voters. Details are:

• Salifu Abdulai

District: Nanumba South

Voter ID no: 6617004814 (28.3.2012)

Voter ID no: 2126900022 (04.8.2014).

• Thomas Nuako Ward-Brew – Democratic People’s Party

The Commission is unable to accept Mr. Ward-Brew’s nomination for the following reasons:

• His forms were improperly completed and Candidate’s particulars were not provided (page 1). The candidate did not provide his voter ID number and the Commission is unable to ascertain whether the candidate is a registered voter and therefore eligible for the office of President.
• The Statutory Declaration by the candidate is not signed and candidate’s details missing from statutory declaration (pages 112 and 113). However, the same statutory declaration has been signed by the Commissioner of oaths. This is illegal and unethical.
• The Signature of the Vice presidential candidate is missing (page 112)
• The Voter ID number of the Vice Presidential candidate has not been provided and so the Commission is unable to ascertain whether the Vice Presidential candidate is a registered voter and eligible to stand as a candidate for that office.
• The number of subscribers to Mr. Ward-Brew’s forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation 7 (2) (b) of CI 94.

1. There are no signatures for subscribers (pages 69, 70 and 71)
2. Signatures of two subscribers (Isaac Dusi & Kofi Kuma) are identical (pages 55 and 56) and this raises questions about the legitimacy of the two signatures.

• The same subscriber – Kumbung Dosetu endorsed the nomination forms in two different districts (Lawra and Nandom) with two different signatures (page 109) raising issues again on the legitimacy of both signatures.

1. Two subscribers subscribed in both Dormaa Municipal & Dormaa West districts (page 76)

Details as follows-

1. Yaa Yeboaa

Voter ID no; 3462001504

1. Anthony Boamah

Voter ID no: 3462002159

1. There are undated endorsements on pages 48, 50, 55 , 56 and 61
2. Missing residential addresses, page 33

Page 10: Thumbprints for even headmasters and teachers and Researchers and pastors (page 74).

vii.   The candidate did not also pay the filing fee within the stipulated timeline.

We will refer the matter of the possible forgeries of these signatures to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution in line with the following sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):

Section 211: Perjury

Section 248: making false declaration etc. for office or voting;

Section 251: Deceiving a public officer

Section 256: Corruption, Intimidation and personation in respect of election.

11. Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker – Independent candidate

The Commission is unable to accept Mr. Walker’s nomination for the following reasons:

• Walker’s forms were improperly filled and contained several irregularities.
• There are invalid endorsements and signatures of subscribers are missing from pages 82-84, 99, 100.
• Personal records of Vice Presidential candidate were not provided (page 112)
• The Candidate’s Statutory Declaration was not completed and not signed by the candidate.
• The Candidate’s Voter ID number and Polling station were details not provided
• The Voter ID details and polling station for vice presidential candidate were not provided. Therefore the Commission was unable to confirm the eligibility of the nominee vice president for the office.
• The Consent to nomination was not signed by both Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.
• The Vice presidential candidate did not sign his personal record form.

• Akua Donkor – Ghana Freedom Party

The Commission is unable to accept Madam Donkor’s nomination for the following reasons:

• Her form was improperly filled.
• The Consent to candidacy by the candidate and Vice president nominee were not signed.
• Residential addresses and polling station details of several subscribers were not provided (pages 68, 79, 80, 81,82, 83, 84)
• Same signatures with different names (Pages 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54,55, 56, 57, 58 & 59)
• Three different signatures provided on the forms for the Presidential candidate
• Vice Presidential candidate not qualified on basis of provided date of birth of October 15, 1998. The details of the vice presidential candidate were also omitted on the personal record form
• The candidate’s Statutory Declaration was incomplete

13. Akwasi Addai Odike – United Progressive Party

The Commission has been served with court processes challenging the membership and candidacy of Mr. Akwasi Addai Odike by some members of the United Progressive Party.  The processes seek to restrain the Electoral Commission from issuing, accepting and registering Mr. Odike to contest the 2016 presidential election as the flag bearer of the UFP.

The Commission is therefore unable to accept Mr. Odike’s nomination forms until the matter in court has been concluded. We hope that Mr. Odike and the UPP would resolve the matter by October 14, 2016; after which date the Commission would be unable to process the nomination.

Accepted Nominations

The following nominations have been accepted by the Electoral Commission (in order of submission):

1. Nana Addo–Dankwa Akufo-Addo – New Patriotic Party
2. John Dramani Mahama – National Democratic Congress
3. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet – Convention Peoples’ Party
4. Jacob Osei Yeboah – Independent Candidate

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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