‘Deeply troubling’, was how the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) described Electoral Commission’s action concerning errors the EC claimed it’d further discovered on nomination forms of some disqualified presidential nominees, after the Supreme Court (SC) had directed that the electoral body must reconsider its decision earlier in the week.
The commission had been asked to give the 2016 beleaguered presidential candidates a second chance to correct mistakes on their nomination forms and had their status legitimised. Following the directive nine candidates resubmitted their forms. But for a while, it seemed the EC wasn’t going to yield on its stance or it probably cared less about the public outcry.
Beyond that it appeared the commission, which had in the first place ran to the apex court to seek clarification on a number of court suits brought against it by the affected candidates was cutting the nose of the eminent body (the SC) to spite her face.
Lately the EC boss had received acerbic attacks from political observes and stakeholders, saying she acts with impunity. The body is on record to have refused to comply with Supreme Court’s directive in May early this year on Evans Nimako and Abu Ramadan case of deleting 56,000 National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registrants until the plaintiffs went back to court.
Why the sudden U-turn?
Like an unexpected seismic shift the EC softened its entrenched position on Wednesday. And as to where that pressure came from I’ve no idea. I really don’t know but I wish I were a soothsayer and could read the minds of the chairperson and the panel members of the commission. Nonetheless, I can speculate that perhaps the body was feeling the blazing heat coming from the oven (the public and the SC) and what do they say if you can’t stand the heat stay out of the kitchen or find an escape route.
So, what happened yesterday was far from the EC’s earlier tough-talking posture. It surprisingly took a safe route as indicated and announced that three of the candidates it had disqualified for irregularities found on their nomination forms could get back into the presidential race due in December 7.
And those who had the life line are: candidates Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom (PPP), Dr. Edward Mahama (PNC) and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (NDP). The three have had their political ambitions activated successfully after going through all the hustles at the courts— fighting the EC for reinstatement.
This brings to seven (7) the number of aspirants now vying for the number one spot. They join NDC’s John Mahama, NPP’s Nana Akufo Addo, CPP’s Ivor Greenstreet and Mr. Jacob Osei an independent candidate.
I should point out that not all of them (the candidates) who filed suits at the courts had luck smiled on them. For the second time in their desperate bid, United Front Party‘s (UFP) Dr. Agyenim Boateng, Mr. Ward Brew Democratic People’s Party of (DPP), Ghana Freedom Party (GFP’s) Madam Akua Donkor and Mr. Kofi Akpaloo an independent candidate failed to make it. Also luck evaded Mr. Hassan Ayariga the All People’s Congress (PDC’s) presidential nominee, Dr. Dixon Tetteh of United Development System Party (UDSP), Dr. Henry Lartey of Great Consolidated Popular Front Party (GCFP) and Mr. Alfred Kwame Asiedu an independent candidate.
Two candidates have already bowed out from the race. Maybe they would stage a comeback come the next general elections in2020 or they might not venture into the ‘Big Boys’ game anymore. United Progressive Party’s (UPP’s) Kwasi Addae Odike and Reformed Patriotic Democrats’ (RFD’s) presidential nominee Kwabena Agyei have withdrawn their candidacy from the contest.
In the meantime, all the accepted candidates on Wednesday, November 09, balloted for positions on the presidential ballot paper at the EC’s head office.
How everything played out in the day (s) before that:
The EC had given NDP presidential nominee Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings up to Tuesday by 5pm local time (GMT) to correct errors the commission described as ‘concern and discrepancies, if she should qualify to run in the 2016 general elections. It also claimed it had discovered more errors on PNC’s candidate Dr. Edward Mahama’s nominations and the other candidates as well.
The order by the EC and its seemingly bullying style didn’t sit down well with many, drawing sharp reactions from amongst stakeholders and political think tanks across the country.
On Tuesday CDD-Ghana issued a press statement expressing its worry and concern about EC’s perceived delay tactics. It said: “The centre is dismayed by news that EC at this late stage in the electoral process claims it has discovered new errors on the nomination forms of the disqualified aspirants.”
It further said the centre finds this new twist to the processing of nomination forms of presidential aspirants deeply troubling, especially because it was the EC that took the matter to the Supreme Court, ostensibly to bring finality to the many suits at the courts challenging its decision to disqualify a number of aspirants.”
While commending the Supreme Court for its courageous move and acting with a sense of urgency as well as responsibility, the executive director of the centre professor Gyimah-Boadi also advised all and sundry in Ghana’s democratic governance to be that it wasn’t healthy or safe for the adjudicating body of the land to be the only institution for preventing a potential political disaster.
I totally agree with CDD Boss, this must be a shared responsibility, the media, political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and the citizenry should all be part in ensuring that we safeguard, protect and do not act in any way that would drive the nation into political chaos. The EC on the other hand, must continue to act responsibly and also ensure that it doesn’t do anything that would create doubts in the minds of the public.
That said, in a fledgling democracy such as ours there are bound to be errors or mistakes and certain blunders. But in the midst of all that we must as a people show respect and be tolerant with one another. The way to go is always having strong institutions, committed and honest people to run those institutions.
In a related development, the Supreme Court had rebuked the EC for showing disrespect towards the court. At the court’s hearing of oral submissions on the Special Voting case on Wednesday, all seven panel members took turns to lash out at the EC for underestimating the gravity of the issues before the court.
Why the rebuke?
The EC had failed to appear before the court when it needed clarifications on the case. What seemed to have amazed the court was the fact that none of the commissioners, directors, or staff of the EC showed up in court to provide that evidence or clarifications. Even the lead counsel of the commission Mr. Thaddeus Sory wasn’t at the court room– he was represented by his assistant Mr. Sean Poku.
The upshot was that per the technical nature of the case Mr. Poku couldn’t provide the court with the information it needed.
According to local media reports the suit which was filed by three individuals had taken a centre stage at the Supreme Court. At the court’s sitting on Wednesday, the legal teams of the EC and the three individuals who filed the suit made their oral submissions.
Judgement is expected to be given on Monday November 14,r by the presiding Judge Mr. Justice William Atuguba.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.