The 2016 Progressive Peoples' Party's Presidential candidate says the Electoral Commission (EC) failed to properly fill a receipt yet it was bold enough to disqualify him over administrative errors.
Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom who is set to challenge his disqualification in court pointed out errors committed by the EC on a receipt given to him for payment of GH¢1.7 million as filing fees for the party's 170 parliamentary candidates. The receipt read GH¢1,700 instead.
"Should we report to the police? Should we take them to court," he said suggesting that the EC's is getting petty with what he believes is an extreme focus on minor errors that can easily be corrected.
The PPP candidate was disqualified after the EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei said due diligence was not paid in the filling of the nomination form of the entrepreneur.
She said one Richard Aseda with the voter’s ID number 7812003957 endorsed Dr Nduom’s nomination form as a voter of both the Central and Volta Region, an act that contradicts the laws governing elections in Ghana.
But Paa Kwesi Nduom says the law CI 94 which governs elections requires that EC should "draw my attention to it and give me the opportunity to correct it".
Like the EC made a mistake on his receipt, the PPP could also make mistakes.
"Those things happen don't they," he said on Joy FM's Super Morning Show Thursday.
He explained that the presidential nomination forms are more than a 100-page document, making it likely for errors to be committed.
He said the PPP could also magnify the administrative error on the receipt and conjecture that someone wants to steal the money his party paid to government. "Before you know it, government gets GH¢1,700 and then someone pockets the rest," he said.
He argued that the Charlotte Osei-led Electoral Commission cannot follow its own standard of administrative perfection which formed the basis to qualify him for the elections.
He vowed to challenge the decision as far as possible because he is convinced his rights have been violated.
"We will continue to fight," Dr Nduom revealed his party's determination.
Charlotte Osei treating NDC, NPP with kit gloves but PPP with hammer
The disqualified presidential candidate has also made a case that the Electoral Commission's decision to disqualify him on the basis of an administrative error was selective.
Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom says the Electoral Commission appears to be unable to punish the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) when they fail to comply with laws and regulations, but the Commission appears quick to punish the PPP he said.
He emphasised that Charlotte Osei, appears to be treating the main political parties with kit gloves but comes across as harsh when dealing with other minor parties.
Giving examples, Dr Nduom noted that he complied with the requirement to declare his assets but the NPP expressly stated it won't and it did not. The governing NDC also did not comply, he observed.
Again the PPP complied with the EC's directive to file audited accounts in accordance with Act 574 of the Political Parties Act. The EC threaten the withdraw the license of parties unable to comply with the deadline by May 31, 2016.
"The NPP and the NDC have not and yet the EC has granted them 'special dispensation' to work towards compliance at a future date.
"Is the NPP bigger than Ghana? Is the NDC bigger than Ghana?2 he pummelled the EC's decisions," he quizzed.
According to him, seven other parties complied with the directive to file audited accounts and yet six of them were also disqualified in the EC's shocking sweep of disqualification that affected 12 political parties.
(L-R) Dr. Nduom, Edward Mahama, Hassan Ayariga, Nana Konadu, Akua Donkor "Is there a case of selective justice", the business mogul cried foul.
He said presidential candidates like the Convention People' Party's (CPP) Ivor Greenstreet could not submit their bankers draft (GH¢50,000 filing fees) on a 'big' deadline day and yet his nomination was approved.
Akwasi Addai too was given four days to deal with a court case or face qualification he stressed.
"If others were given the opportunity why not the PPP and Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom?" he said.
Source: myjoyonline
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
am even surprise the npp and ndc are quite over this issue instead of them to support the disqualified parties they seem to be rejoicing, but mind you the decision of the e.c might go against one of them on the day of elections.becos the followers of this disqualified candidates will then have the option of voting for one of them.which will make this elections quite an interesting one.to me the e.c thinks she is favoring the ndc,to she being dis-service to them and rather digging a big hole for ndc eventual fall.please she should reconsider her disqualification sentence!
Hmm...GOD is watching.
HAVE WE FORGOTTEN MAHAMA JOHN, KUFOUR, AKUFFO ADDO ARE BONDED BY BLOOD...ARE RELATIVES??? THINK AGAIN. THESE PEOPLE WILL RULE US TILL 'THY KINGDOM COME'..
What the accountant wrote both in figures and in words could not be correct. Did u check the spelling of HUNDRED? I practice accounting and i know accountants pay attention to details. Don't think u need an accountant to write receipts anyway but just for the sake of ur argument
Guys, do you remember that similar errors were accepted for the pink sheets during the election petition? The supreme court then admitted that the errors were not significant enough ? Now the question is vote counting errors and form filling errors which ones are more significant? The easily reversible one or one that cannot be easily reversed? Now you see what they did to Ghana and how its going to destroy us? EC you seem to forget so easily.
EC is not standing for elections, Mr Nduom. We need some spine in our leaders, and Mrs Osei is leading the way. Name calling isn't going to change anything. Tough lady - good for Ghana.
This is shallow, go to court and stop wasting our time.
NPP WATCH OUT! The EC has not changed after the 2013 election dispute. this MUST be a clear signal to you. 27 can turn 27 0. Recruit competent Polling Agents! EC after collecting all these HUGE money from the poor taxpayer is still writing receipts with pen. Oh 'yeman' Ghana. Incompetent from the President to............
ppp what the accountant wrote was the right thing because he indicate what the one means by writting it in letters million seven hundred thousand ghana cedis (1.700.00) yet you have a bank shame
Mediocrity at its best. At this day and age, EC is writing receipts by hand, and on sheets that do not even bear their logo. So what was all the re-branding all about?