FIRE AND BRIMESTONE; Greet EC’s Decision To Disqualify 12 Presidential Aspirants

Charlotte Osei, Ghana's Electoral Commissioner

There has never been so much heat in national politics in recent times as was experienced last Monday. The language of most of the affected people was raw and in some instance even insulting.

In a radio interview Hassan Ayariga, the Presidential aspirant of the All Peoples Congress (APC) described the EC’s decision as “foolish”

Almost all the disqualified aspirant have threatened to drag the EC to court and to place an injunction on the 2016 elections.

 Mr Kofi Akpaloo, presidential aspirant of the Independent Peoples’ Party (IPP) said the “EC chairs cannot arrogate to herself powers she does not have”

The National Treasurer of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) has gone as far as to suggest that Dr. Kwadwo Afari  Djan performed much better than the current chair of the EC.

 Mr Akane Adams said under Dr Afari Djan the 13 presidential aspirants would not have been disqualified.

Interestingly the four candidates whose nomination papers were accepted as flawless have been tight –lipped.

They are Ivor Kobina Greestreet of the CPP, Nana Akufo- Addo of the NPP, John Yeboah, an independent and John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Editorial

LET THE LAW WORK

 Many individuals and groups have called for free and fair elections this year.

We cannot disagree with them.

However one of the surest ways of ensuring free and fair elections is that all the stakeholders in this election have to do what the law prescribes.

What used to happen in the past when half- qualified and law breaking parties and candidates were put on the ballot should not be encouraged this time round.

We urge the Electoral Commission, the Government, political parties and the law enforcement agencies to act as the law prescribes and a lot of problems will solved.

The law must be applied vigorously without fear or favour!