Bright Asiamah in a statement said his prospects of becoming a Member of Parliament look bleak because the party lacks the necessary clout to advance his course hence his decision.

“Shamefully the NPP now controls all our operations in the Ashanti Region, they direct, manage and even finance our programmes and activities particularly in the Zongos and NDC strongholds.We initially thought we were forming a political party, little did we know it was just another branch of the NPP.”

“Today there is no NDP.What we have can be best described as NDP, which is a disgraceful marriage between the NDP and the NPP. For me and my followers, we have lost hope in this arranged marriage by our mother without our input.By this I officially step down NDP Parliamentary Candidate for Atwima Mponua Constituency,” he said.

The latest defection to the NDC follows several others including a defection by the Progressive People’s Party’s candidate for Kwabre East Constituency Grace Affram to the NDC.

Members of various parties have defected to the NPP ahead of the upcoming election. In September, over 800 supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) defected to the NPP. The defectors were from three communities comprising Kumbung-Kukuo Yipeli-Naayili and Duli Zugu.

They organized a rally at Duli Zugu, where the NPP’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Kumbungu Constituency, Iddrisu Muqtar Dems and other party bigwigs from the Northern Region, officially welcomed them to the party.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The meeting was convened by the National Peace Council in Accra on Thursday, December 1, which culminated in the seven presidential candidates signing the peace pact ahead of the polls.

Present at the meeting were former President Jerry John Rawlings, Electoral Commission Chair, Charlotte Osei; former South African President, Thabo Mbeki and representatives of the various election monitoring bodies.

A similar accord was signed ahead of the 2012 elections in Kumasi championed by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei II.

The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most. Reverend Emmanuel Asante urged the seven presidential candidates to do their best to maintain the peace.

Six of the presidential candidates were present at the signing; President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings of the National Democratic Party (NDP), the Convention People’s Party’s (CPP) Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, the People’s National Congress’ (PNC) Dr. Edward Mahama and Independent candidate Jacob Osei Yeboah.

The Progressive People’s Party’s (PPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, was absent but, represented by his running mate, Bridget Dzogbenuku.

Violence will not be our portion

President Mahama said he was “confident in our nation’s capacity to conduct peaceful elections.”

“This reaffirmation from the political contenders gives added comfort to our people and guarantees that our nation will continue in peace and stability.”

“I pray to the almighty God that it shall not be my portion and that may it not be my watch that our dear nation Ghana will be consumed by violence.”

President Mahama pledged to carry out his dual role both as President of the Republic and as a presidential candidate in a manner that would preserve the country’s peace and stability.

“Our democracy and progress are too precious to be gambled away on the altar of an unbridled quest to hold onto political power,” he stated.

Gov’t must move beyond lip service to peace

Nana Akufo-Addo, the main opposition NPP’s flagbearer, has seen political violence erupt right at his doorstep with supporters of the NPP and the NDC clashing in front of Nima residence in the heat of campaigning. There have also been clashes across the country in areas like Wulensi, New Juaben and Odododiodio.

He contended that “many people do not feel that the security agencies are currently not party-colour blind in performing their duties. This fuels rumours that and generates anxiety.”

Nana Akufo-Addo thus urged the government to do more than pay lip service to its commitment to peace and security ahead of the polls.

“The government has a responsibility to move beyond the rhetoric of calling for peace and demonstrate the commitments to ensure the state institutions discharge their duties and professionally and with integrity.”

“We pray that Ghana retains its position as the shining example in Africa as a peaceful democratic nation,” the NPP flagbearer added.

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

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This follows a long legal tussle that eventually saw the party’s flagbearer, Nana Konadu Rawlings reinstated in the race after an initial disqualification by the Electoral Commission.

With barely three weeks to the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections, the party is yet to make any significant impression on the political landscape with very few posters and low media publicity.

But according to the party, its strategy, few weeks to the election, is to outdoor its parliamentary candidates in the various constituencies across the country.

The party’s General Secretary, Mohammed Frimpong, told Citi News even though the party has visited some regions including the Volta Region, it is hopeful of visiting other regions it left out in its earlier campaign.

‘We are focusing on grassroots’

The founder and flagbearer of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, has said her main agenda is to promote what she describes as grass-roots democracy emphasizing inclusive governance.

While in Kasoa earlier this week, she said men have for a long time led the country and it was time a woman also became a President.

She held campaigns in Oboom Domeabra and Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro constituencies, as part of efforts to amass more votes in the area.

The NDP, which was formed in 2012 as a split from the governing National Democratic Congress, joins four other political parties and an independent candidate to challenge the NDC’s John Mahama for the presidential seat.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“Let’s pray for the EC, because in the game of football, the referee distorts the game if he is biased. Let’s pray that God keeps an eye on the EC so that they make decisions that will not bring chaos. If they are able to do this, whoever wins or loses will accept it in good faith. Pray for the NPP as well, so that we win this year’s elections. We have policies and plans that will help the country to grow,” Nana Addo told the congregants.

The NPP flagbearer is currently on a four-day buydiazepamsite.com/valium-price.html tour of the Brong Ahafo Region.

In the last few weeks, he has taken his campaign to the Volta Region, the Greater Accra Region, Ashanti Region and the Eastern Region.

His main opponent, President John Mahama, is currently campaigning in the Greater Accra Region.

EC’s Troubles

The Electoral Commission has been up against a barrage of lawsuits after it disqualified the flagbearers of some parties and an independent nominee because of some anomalies in their nomination forms.

The Supreme Court ordered the commission to give the disqualified nominees to correct those anomalies.

After the corrections had been made, the EC announced that the PPP, NDP and PNC would join the NPP, NDC, CPP and the independent candidate, Joseph Osei Yeboah, on the ballot paper.

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By: Jeffrey Owuraku Sarpong/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Electoral Commission (EC) had disqualified Mrs. Agyeman Rawlings along with 12 other flagbearers for filing presidential nomination forms with anomalies.

[contextly_sidebar id=”xT8hCbNwOtMibCVa4x85e0Lx7iiHzwQB”]But following legal tussles that began in the High Court and ended in the Supreme Court, the apex court ordered the EC to allow the affected candidates to correct the errors and resubmit them. Consequently, three of the parties were given the nod by the EC to contest.

Mrs. Agyeman Rawlings said of the development: “this win that we have got as NDP is not a win for me alone; it is a win for our supporters. It is a win for women, it is a chance for us as a nation to change what is going on so the young people, women, the elderly, everybody in Ghana who wants Ghana to be seen as having a stamp on the African continent will see this as their win as well.”

In her view, the ensuing litigation after the initial disqualification is proof that “the rule of law does work in Ghana and that every institution must work within the law.”

Following the balloting of for spots on the ballot paper, the NDP landed the second spot and Mrs. Agyeman Rawlings expressed hope that “being number two [on the ballot sheet] will also help propel us to the level that we want to get to.”

PPP, PNC also clear to contest

The Progressive People’s Party’s (PPP) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and the People’s National Congress’ (PNC), Dr. Edward Mahama were also cleared to contest in the upcoming Presidential elections on Wednesday as the EC approved of their respective party’s resubmitted presidential nomination forms after reviewing it.

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

The post My appearance on ballot victory for rule of law – Nana Konadu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The EC disqualified them due to errors on their nomination forms, but the Supreme Court on Monday ordered the commission to extend the nomination period and give the parties a hearing – which has been adhered to.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Head of Communication at the EC, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, said “per the ruling of the Supreme Court, by the close of day on Wednesday, they [EC] should be able to come out with a decision on all the forms which we have received.”

They include Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Dr. Edward Mahama, of the People’s National Convention (PNC) among others.

“Most of the aspirants whose nominations were invalidated were able to collect their nomination on Monday, and on Tuesday; two candidates also came to pick their nomination forms so the commission waited for them to submit,” he added.

In all, ten political parties amended their nomination forms at the EC on Tuesday.

The Commission is also expected to conduct a ballot for the presidential candidates ahead of the December elections on Thursday November 10, 2016.

Background

Some of the 12 candidates including Dr. Nduom, PPP, Dr. Hassan Ayariga, APC, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, NDC and two others who were disqualified from the presidential race, sued the EC demanding an order from the court to quash the commission’s decision.

The EC subsequently went to the Supreme Court after an Accra High ordered it to allow the PPP to correct errors on the forms of Dr. Nduom.

But the Supreme Court ordered the EC to give the disqualified candidates a hearing and also extend the nomination period for two days.

Parties storm EC to correct errors

The EC adhered to the Supreme Court’s order, but pointed out new errors on the nomination forms of the disqualified candidates.

Meanwhile, ten out of the 12 disqualified aspirants were able to amend their nomination forms at the close of the extended nomination period on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

New errors in the interest of political parties

Mr. Dzakpasu also defended the decision by the commission to announce new errors it spotted on the nomination forms of the disqualified candidates.

“Per our understanding or the orders of the Supreme Court, we were to give the candidates a hearing, and in that hearing we were to give them the opportunity to identify the errors on their forms and then make the necessary corrections. So it was in all fairness to the candidates themselves that in the process of giving the hearing some of these infractions were identified and brought to their notice and as a matter of fact they saw it and accepted it in good faith and agreed that these are infractions, errors or emissions which can be corrected and therefore agreed to take it and correct.” He added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The NDP in a statement signed by its General Secretary, said the development was “a clear violation of our human rights.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”dzFlqIBdaCanFxBzTWbfVf0H9uDmpjS0”]On October 10, 2016 when the EC initially disqualified Mrs. Agyeman Rawlings, along with 12 other candidates, it identified just one error; one of subscribers on her forms did not meet the requirements of Regulation (2) (b) of CI 94.

The NDP and five other political parties thus proceeded to the High Court to fight the disqualification on the grounds of the single mistake, and this culminated in a Supreme Court judgement on Monday [November 7], ordering the EC to extend the period of filing of nomination forms to the close of day today [Tuesday].

“After fighting the matter in court all this while, the EC has suddenly and unexpectedly shifted the goal posts in a manner that shows that, all the EC wants to do is to disqualify us from participating in the coming presidential election by any means possible,” the NDP lamented in its statement.

“This cannot be what the Supreme Court meant when it ordered the EC to give us a hearing and permit us to comply with the law that gives us the right to an opportunity to amend our documents.”

The NDP thus dismissed the the EC’s announcement of new errors as a “clear attempt at victimization by the EC” and called on the EC to “immediately desist from its oppressive tactics, and with immediate effect reverse this illegal demand of us; else we would have no option but to return to court.”

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

The post ‘Oppressive’ EC victimising us – NDP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings refiled her suit on October 27 after an Accra High Court struck out the initial one on procedural grounds.

Konadu fights EC in court

Nana Konadu together with her party and her running mate sued the Electoral Commission, with the Attorney General, over her disqualification from the presidential race.

They were seeking an “interlocutory injunction, prohibiting and restraining” the Electoral Commission and its agents from going ahead with the balloting of presidential candidate until the court settles the matter.

She also prayed the court to stop the EC from doing the following:

1. Posting any notices at any constituency centres, specifying the names of candidates purportedly nominated and the persons who have proposed and supported each of the purportedly nominated candidates for the 2016 presidential election, without including name of the 2nd application;
2. Allocating symbols and colours to the purportedly nominated candidates for the 2016 presidential election, without allocating symbols and colours to the 2nd applicant; and
3. Publishing any notices of poll in the Gazette and in places in constituencies around the country with respect to the 2016 presidential election, without including the name of the 2nd applicant.

The NDP flagbearer in another suit,  prayed the court to declare as illegal the deadline the EC set for receiving nominations and “a further declaration that the EC erred in law when it decided not to accept the applicants nomination thereby wrongfully and illegal disqualifying the applicants from contesting in the 2016 presidential elections.”

They are also seeking an order quashing the EC’s decision not to accept Konadu’s nominations and an order compelling the EC to accept her nomination and to include her name on the ballot for the 2016 presidential election.

Nana Konadu was disqualified with 12 other presidential nominees because they failed to meet some requirements of the electoral laws ahead of the December polls.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The NDP Flagbearer refiled a suit at a Human Rights Division of the High Court after an Accra High Court struck out the initial lawsuit.

The refiling was necessitated after an Accra High Court struck out the initial lawsuit challenging the disqualification.

According to the ruling delivered by Justice George K. Koomson, the decision to strike our the case was due to the wrong procedure used by Nana Konadu in the initial filing hence making the case “incompetent.”

In his ruling the judge indicated that the applicants were wrong to include an application for judicial review and the enforcement of fundamental human rights in one writ.

Konadu fights EC in court

Nana Konadu together with her party and her running mate sued the Electoral Commission, with the Attorney General, over her disqualification from the presidential race.

They were seeking an “interlocutory injunction, prohibiting and restraining” the Electoral Commission and its agents from going ahead with the balloting of presidential candidate until the court settles the matter.

She also prayed the court to stop the EC from doing the following:

1. Posting any notices at any constituency centres, specifying the names of candidates purportedly nominated and the persons who have proposed and supported each of the purportedly nominated candidates for the 2016 presidential election, without including name of the 2nd application;
2. Allocating symbols and colours to the purportedly nominated candidates for the 2016 presidential election, without allocating symbols and colours to the 2nd applicant; and
3. Publishing any notices of poll in the Gazette and in places in constituencies around the country with respect to the 2016 presidential election, without including the name of the 2nd applicant.

The NDP flagbearer in another suit,  prayed the court to declare as illegal the deadline the EC set for receiving nominations and “a further declaration that the EC erred in law when it decided not to accept the applicants nomination thereby wrongfully and illegal disqualifying the applicants from contesting in the 2016 presidential elections.”

They are also seeking an order quashing the EC’s decision not to accept Konadu’s nominations and an order compelling the EC to accept her nomination and to include her name on the ballot for the 2016 presidential election.

Nana Konadu was disqualified with 12 other presidential nominees because they failed to meet some requirements of the electoral laws ahead of the December polls.

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By: Duke Opoku Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Court to hear NDP’s case against EC today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This comes on the back of the suit filed by the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) at the court in protest of their disqualification.

Nana Konadu who is fighting the case with the party and her running mate added the Attorney General to the case are seeking an “interlocutory injunction, prohibiting and restraining” the Electoral Commission and its agents from going ahead with the balloting of presidential candidate until the court settles the matter.

She also wants the court to stop the EC from doing the following:

1. posting any notices at any constituency centres, specifying the names of candidates purportedly nominated and the persons who have proposed and supported each of the purportedly nominated candidates for the 2016 presidential election, without including name of the 2nd application;
2. Allocating symbols and colours to the purportedly nominated candidates for the 2016 presidential election, without allocating symbols and colours to the 2nd applicant; and
3. Publishing any notices of poll in the Gazette and in places in constituencies around the country with respect to the 2016 presidential election, without including the name of the 2nd applicant.

The Court is however expected to hear the case on Monday, October 24, 2016.

In another suit, Nana Konadu and her NDP are praying the court to declare as illegal the deadline the EC set for receiving nominations and “a further declaration that the EC erred in law when it decided not to accept the applicants nomination thereby wrongfully and illegal disqualifying the applicants from contesting in the 2016 presidential elections.”

They are also seeking an order quashing the EC’s decision not to accept Konadu’s nominations and an order compelling the EC to accept her nomination and to include her name on the ballot for the 2016 presidential election.

Nana Konadu was disqualified with 12 other presidential nominees because they failed to meet some requirements of the electoral laws ahead of the December polls.

[contextly_sidebar id=”MeeQipa6wivGIfBCSAdBN7Su2MyfuDIJ”]In explaining the NDP’s disqualification, the EC explained that, “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).”

But the party had threatened to “strip the commission naked” if it does not accept their flagbearer back into the race.

The Deputy Communications Director of the NDP, Ernest Owusu Bempah had earlier told Citi News, that Nana Konadu’s disqualification is a deliberate attempt by the EC to prevent the NDP from contesting in the elections.

“This is a deliberate attempt by Charlotte Osei and the EC to disqualify us… they should clap for themselves for tarnishing the image of our multiparty democracy in the country, and deliberately running into the pockets of the government of the day and trying to please their pay masters,” Mr Bempah told Richard Sky on Eyewitness News.

Owusu Bempah challenged the Electoral Commission’s reasons for his party’s disqualification stating that, the EC must provide additional information on the basis for their disqualification.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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