Member of Parliament for Dadekotopon constituency Nii Amasah Namoale has defended the Electoral Commission’s decision to file application at the Supreme Court to quash a High Court ruling in favor of Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the flag bearer of Progressive People’s Party (PPP).
The Dadekotopon lawmaker said the latest step of the EC should not be taken as ‘vindictiveness’ as claimed by sections of the public but furtherance of democracy.
An Accra High court presided over by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour has ordered the EC to allow PPP an opportunity to correct its mistakes on the party’s Presidential candidate’s nomination forms.
This was after PPP went to the High Court to challenge disqualification of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom by the Electoral Commission.
Contained in his ruling, the judge noted that the nomination period was not defined by the CI 94 and he believes the day that the acceptance of nomination papers ends, begins the nomination period to allow the candidate an opportunity to amend any anomalies if any.
However, on the Electoral Commission on Monday filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking to overturn a High Court decision which asked the electoral body to allow the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) whose presidential nominee was disqualified, to correct anomalies on his forms.
The Commission in a statement disagreed vehemently with the High Court ruling in favor of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, adding the ruling was fundamentally challenged on the grounds of legality and public policy.
It also maintained that the errors committed by some of the aspirants which led to their disqualifications are of criminal proportions and must not be taken for granted.
Meanwhile some sections of the public are of the view that the EC has set out to use any means necessary to disqualify the PPP presidential nominee.
But Nii Amasah Namoale speaking to Bright Kwesi Asempa on Onua Fm morning show disagrees with the notion that the EC is deliberately putting impediments on the path of Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom and the PPP.
“I don’t think the way people are talking about Madam Charlotte Osei and the EC is fine. What is happening is part of democratic process, if the Supreme Court rules in this case, it will further enhance our democracy, so I don’t think people should talking that way”
He added that the Supreme Court will eventually speak on the request before it and if PPP also feels strongly about the result, they have right under the 1992 constitution to seek further clarification by way of review.
<<Print>>