EC suspends printing of ballot papers following Akua Donkor's death, GFP given 10 days to nominate new candidate

The Electoral Commission has suspended the printing of presidential ballot papers for Election 2024 following the sudden death of Akua Donkor, the presidential candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP).

The EC has therefore given the GFP 10 days to nominate a new presidential candidate.

The EC quoted Article 50 (4) of the 1992 Constitution to support the move of giving GFP 10 days. It states; "where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of the ten days shall be allowed for nominations..."

In a press statement signed and issued by Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations at the Electoral Commission on Tuesday evening (October 29, 2024), the commission explained that while the 1992 Constitution and the Public Elections Regulations, 2020, C.I. 127, - are not clear on processes to follow in the event of the death of a Presidential Candidate, Article 50 (4) of the 1992 Constitution provides as follows; "where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of the ten days shall be allowed for nominations..."

It is following this that the Commission has since informed the GFP to make arrangements to nominate a new Candidate and inform the Commission accordingly.

"In the meantime, the Commission has suspended the printing of Presidential Ballot Papers which was near completion." it added.

Already, the vice presidential candidate of the GFP, Kwabena Agyeman Appiah Kubi, popularly known as Roman Fada, has said he was ready to take the reins as the new presidential candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) for Election 2024, following the passing of Madam Akua Donkor.

Speaking in a radio interview on Accra based Angel FM, Roman Fada indicated that he is ready to assume the role should the law require it. 

“If the law says I should be the flag bearer why not…I am ready to take up the mantle as the flag bearer.

“Since I am an entertainment person, I hope I will get support from my colleagues in the entertainment field”, he said,

Roman Fada said Madam Akua Donkor fell sick on Saturday, October 26, 2024 and was sent to the Nsawam Government Hospital where she was treated and discharged.

However, on Sunday, October 27, she was rushed to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital formerly known as the Ridge Hospital where she passed at 10 pm on Monday, October 28.

He said the Ghana Freedom Party will release a statement announcing her death and the way forward for the party.

Madam Akua Donkor founded the GFP in 2011 and got it registered in 2012. 

This was after she was elected as an Assembly member at Hemang in the Kwabre East District, From Assembly Member she moved to the constituency level and filed to contest as a Member of Parliament at Kwabre East in the Ashanti Region and competed with the late Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, a former Judicial Secretary and former Ashanti Regional Minister.

After two failed attempts in the parliamentary elections in 2004 and 2008, and determined to move her political career a notch higher, she moved up into the presidential race and formed the GFP in 2011.

She filed to contest the 2024 presidential election on the ticket of the GFP and had been attending all IPAC meetings herself.

Attached below is a copy of the EC's statement

DEATH OF 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE- MADAM AKUA DONKOR

The Electoral Commission has today received information on the unfortunate passing of the Presidential Candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Madam Akua Donkor. May she rest in peace.

While the 1992 Constitution and the Public Elections Regulations, 2020, C.I. 127, - are not clear on processes to follow in the event of the death of a Presidential Candidate, Article 50 (4) of the 1992 Constitution provides as follows; "where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of the ten days shall be allowed for nominations..."

The Commission has since informed the GFP to make arrangements to nominate a new Candidate and inform the Commission accordingly.
In the meantime, the Commission has suspended the printing of Presidential Ballot Papers which was near completion.

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh  

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