The Ghana Freedom Party has expressed shock and discontent over the Electoral Commission’s disqualification of their candidates, despite correcting all noted errors. Allegations of intimidation from EC officials have emerged, which compounded the party’s frustrations. The party is considering legal action or further engagement with the EC as they navigate this setback ahead of the elections.
The Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) has expressed profound disappointment following the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to disqualify their candidates from participating in the impending elections, despite the party’s assurances that all noted discrepancies had been rectified prior to resubmission. Leadership within the GFP has articulated their shock regarding the EC’s resolution, given their diligent efforts to correct the errors flagged during the initial assessment of their nomination forms. Nana Poku, an aide to the party’s leader Roman Fada, disclosed in an interview with Kasapa News that the party was alerted on November 8 about threats to their candidate from purported EC officials. This distressing information led party leaders to engage with an EC officer, warning that any continued threats would be made public, and they subsequently sent a formal communication to the EC regarding these alleged intimidation attempts. Following their return to Kumasi, the party received further communication from the EC requesting corrections to errors attributed to the Commission itself in their candidacy documents. The party diligently amended these mistakes and resubmitted the necessary documentation. However, in a surprising turn of events, the EC again disqualified their candidate. The GFP leadership is currently convening to deliberate on their next steps, including the possibility of legal action against the EC or awaiting further clarification from the Commission. This situation is compounded by the disqualification of Philip Appiah Kubi, who was the GFP’s newly appointed flagbearer, after irregularities and unlawful issues were revealed in his nomination form, as stated by EC Chair Jean Mensa during a press conference on November 12.
The recent disqualification of candidates from the Ghana Freedom Party by the Electoral Commission raises significant concerns regarding the integrity and processes involved in the electoral system. The GFP had taken special care to rectify mistakes previously highlighted by the EC, which makes the disqualification unexpected and troubling for the party. This event has been accompanied by allegations of intimidation against party endorsers, further complicating the electoral climate. The EC’s role in ensuring fair practices during elections is critical, and challenges such as these must be critically examined within the broader context of democratic governance.
In conclusion, the Ghana Freedom Party’s disqualification from the upcoming elections by the Electoral Commission, despite their corrections to identified errors, highlights serious concerns about electoral processes and fairness. The party’s leadership is actively considering their options for challenging this decision, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the electoral system. The recent events, including allegations of intimidation, paint a complex picture of the current political climate in Ghana as elections approach.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
