Why EC disqualified PNC's Bernard Mornah, Janet Nabla and 9 others
The Electoral Commission (EC) has explained why it has disqualified 11 presidential aspirants in the 2024 election.
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At a press conference in Accra on Friday afternoon (Sept 20, 2024), the chairperson of the EC, Mrs Jean Mensa explained that 11 out of the 24 aspirants were disqualified for various reasons including incomplete filling of the forms, using voters in a particular district to represent another district, repeating voters in a particular district for another district, not having tax certificates, vice presidential candidates not having tax certificates, unsigned forms by vice presidential candidates among others.
When the window for filing of nominations closed on Friday, September 13, 2024, a total of 24 presidential aspirants submitted their nomination forms to the EC.
From this list 12 presidential aspirants standing on the ticket of political parties and 12 others who were standing as independent entities had filed their nominations with the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest the presidential slot in the December 7 general election.
Explaining further on the process for determining who qualifies to run as a presidential candidate, Mrs Jean Mensa said the EC formed two teams - a technical team and an IT team, that were tasked to thoroughly comb through the forms of each aspirant.
The technical team scrutinised the forms submitted to ensure that aspirants satisfied the qualifications as set out in law, including fulfilment of tax obligations among others.
The IT team on the other hand reviewed the forms to ensure that the voter ID cards of the aspirants and their supporters were valid.
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“We are confident that both teams have been thorough and yet fair in their work,” the EC Chair said.
Following the process, 11 out of the 24 aspirants were disqualified for the various reasons including incomplete filling of the forms, using voters in a particular district to represent another district, repeating voters in a particular district for another district, not having tax certificates, their vice presidential candidates not having tax certificates, unsigned forms by vice presidential candidates among others.
Mrs Jean Mensa stated that all aspirants were given the opportunity to rectify errors and those who got disqualified failed to do so.
Qualified candidates
Mahamudu Bawumia of NPP had no issues and satisfied all the requirements
Kofi Akpaloo of LPG initially had issues with tax certificate but it was resolved after he corrected it
Christian Andrews of GUM initially had incomplete details for vice presidential candidate, incomplete details of some supporters but it was resolved after he was provided an opportunity to correct them
Nana Kwame Bediako, an independent initially had no tax clearance certificate for vice presidential candidate and the photo size he provided was not good, however he corrected it and it was resolved
George Twum Barimah, an independent aspirant had no symbol and colours to represent him but it was resolved after he was provided with the opportunity
Hassan Ayariga of APC presented only one completed form, the other two did not have some pages, 137 to 142 but the issues were resolved and cleared
John Dramani Mahama of NDC satisfied all the requirements and was cleared
Alan Kyerematen, independent candidate satisfied all requirements
Akua Donkor resolved issues with nomination and was cleared
Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr resolved issues with the form and was cleared
Nana Akosua Frimpomaa of CPP had a number of issues and these issues were resolved
Mohammed Frimpong of NDP had issues from non submission of tax clearance certificate for vice presidential candidate and some supporters it was resolved within nomination period
Kofi Koranteng had a number of issues including use of voters in a particular district to support another district. It was rectified and resolved when the issues were brought to his attention
Disqualified aspirants
Samuel Appiah Dankwa, an independent aspirant had a number of issues, no tax certificate for vice presidential candidate and incomplete forms for supporters. He was provided an opportunity to rectify but he was unable to do it
Janet Nabla used registration details of particular voters in certain districts in other districts. The eep did not sign forms. Issues were not resolved
Desmond Abrefa used details of particular district to represent. Was not able to resolve
Nana Stephens also used details of voters in particular district, incomplete forms
Bernard Mornah had incomplete particulars of voters. Used voters in particulars, varying signatures, same signatures for
Paul had incomplete particulars
James Oppong, his statutory declaration was not notarised
Samuel Sarpong used registered voters in particular districts to support nomination in other districts
Nii Amoo Darko his forms were incomplete
Kofi Asamoah Siaw of PPP was disqualified because he had incomplete forms
All the aspirants were provided opportunity to rectify errors, she said.