A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Palgrave Frimpong Boakye-Danquah, has challenged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to file for an injunction on Tuesday’s by-elections in the Kumawu Constituency if they have concerns.
The NDC are accusing the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) of mischief ahead of the by-elections and alleging that the electoral-management body is preparing the grounds for vote stuffing, among others, to favour the incumbent NPP.
There have been concerns about similar names and symbols of the two independent candidates on a purported notice of poll in circulation.
The EC on Sunday, May 21 clarified thus: “For the information of the Public, both Independent Candidates presented photographs of themselves in Kente and a picture of a bird as their symbol to our District Officer in Kumawu.
“Based on this, a draft Notice of Poll, bearing the photograph of the Independent Candidates with similar names, attires and symbols was prepared and submitted to the Commission for approval.
“When this anomaly came to the notice of the Commission, the second Independent Candidate was advised to change his symbol since he was the last to submit his Nomination Form. He refused to do so causing the Commission to apply Regulation 14(1) (b) and (c) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020, C.I. 127 which states as follows: The Commission has assigned him the symbol of a hoe which is reflected in the Notice of Poll posted throughout Kumawu.”
Speaking on TV3‘s award-winning morning show New Day on Monday, May 22, Mr Boakye-Danquah described the Commission as “extremely credible” in its operations in Kumawu so far.
It called out the NDC and, indeed, any aggrieved person to proceed to the law courts and possibly secure an injunction if they have issues with the impending exercise.
“If the NDC claims that there has been some malfunction on pink sheets, they should put an injunction on the election,” the former Executive Director of Kandifo Institute said.
Mr Boakye-Danquah, who is aspiring to lead the NPP in 2024 as Abuakwa North Parliamentary Candidate, wished constituents well in Tuesday’s exercise.
The by-elections was occasioned by the sudden death of Philip Basoah in March.
Ernest Yaw Anim was chosen by the NPP to replace the late MP as candidate.
NDC will be represented by Kwasi Amankwaa while Kwaku Duah, who was runner-up in 2020, will still be on the ballot.
A fourth candidate, Kwaku Duah, is also on the ballot.
