Afram Plains South Member of Parliament Joseph Appiah Boateng has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Electoral Commission (EC) to explain why it received nominations of two other aspirants of the governing National Democratic Congress, lest he places an injunction on the parliamentary election in the constituency.
Mr Boateng withdrew his nomination to contest the December polls after an injunction was placed on him, pending the determination of a criminal case at the Accra High Court. The MP is alleged to have been convicted of fraud outside the country.
His withdrawal from the race on the last day of the filing of nominations paved the way for the two rival aspirants to submit forms to replace him. Both Eric Osei Owusu, who came second in the party’s parliamentary primary, and Eastern regional secretary Mark Oliver Kevor filed to replace the MP.
Speaking to Class News on the development, Mr Boateng said he would place an injunction on the election if both nominees are allowed to contest the polls.
“…All I’m saying is that we need clarification from the Electoral Commission. … At the closing date, those who were able to file at Afram Plains South [were announced as] Mark Oliver Kevor from NDC, Willie Well from NPP, and the CPP guy by the name Benjamin. Those were the guys who were able to file at the time.
But now I’ve heard that they are trying to push Eric Osei Owusu, so I’m just wondering why two people from the same party can file on the same ticket so the Electoral Commission should come out clearly and let everyone know because as of now, Afram Plains South, they’ve left everyone in suspense.
We don’t know what is happening, we can’t even campaign so they should come out with the day that Osei Owusu was able to file, the date, the time, and the officer who [accepted his nomination forms].
So that is what I’m asking for. If that is not done within 48 hours, then we have to go to court and put an injunction on the Afram Plains South parliamentary election,” he told Class News’ parliamentary correspondent Ekow Annan.
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