Parliamentary election: Parties vote for positions on ballot papers today

The leadership of all the political parties contesting this year’s parliamentary election have been invited by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the conduct of balloting for positions on the parliamentary ballot papers today.

The Head of Communications at the EC, Mr Eric Fleming Kofi Dzakpasu, told the Daily Graphic, however, that the nature of the balloting would be determined by the returning officer at today’s meeting.

Mr Dzakpasu said although balloting for places on the presidential ballot had been put on hold pending the determination of suits against the EC by various political parties and presidential aspirants, the EC believed it could go ahead with that of  parliamentary candidates.

Background

The EC has been embroiled in suits following its disqualification of 12 presidential aspirants after they had filed their nominations with the electoral body.

Several reasons were cited by the EC Chair, Mrs Charlotte Osei, for disqualifying the presidential hopefuls, including the lack of evidence on statutory declaration as to home town or residence in the constituency as per the legal requirements and the use of the same subscribers by various candidates. 

The EC also said for a large majority of subscribers, the signature portion was ticked, instead of being subscribed with a signature, thumb print or mark.

The parties that are challenging the disqualification of their presidential aspirants include the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), while the People’s National Convention (PNC) and the All People’s Congress (APC) have threatened to sue the EC if their disqualification is not revoked.