The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially cleared 13 presidential aspirants to contest in the upcoming 2024 general elections, while disqualifying 11 others who submitted their nominations.
In a statement released today, the EC confirmed that after a thorough vetting process, 13 candidates met the necessary legal and constitutional requirements to run for the presidency in the December 7 elections.
The commission, however, disqualified 11 aspirants, citing various reasons including incomplete documentation, failure to meet eligibility criteria, and issues with the authenticity of their submissions.
The EC explained that the disqualified aspirants were given ample time to rectify discrepancies in their documents, but they were unable to do so within the stipulated timeframe.
Some were found to have submitted false information, while others failed to garner the required number of endorsements from registered voters in different regions, as mandated by electoral regulations.
EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, emphasized the commission’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and fair electoral process. “The vetting process was rigorous and thorough to guarantee that all candidates comply with the requirements set out in the 1992 Constitution and the electoral laws of Ghana.
Our goal is to ensure that only qualified candidates make it to the ballot,” she stated.
Among the 13 cleared candidates are representatives from major political parties, including the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and several smaller parties. Independent candidates also feature among those cleared to contest.
The EC urged the disqualified aspirants to respect the decision and assured the public that the process was conducted in a fair and impartial manner. The commission also called on all political parties and candidates to adhere to the electoral guidelines to ensure a peaceful election season.
The December 7, 2024, elections are expected to be highly contested, with the country gearing up for what is anticipated to be a crucial democratic exercise.
below is the EC’s statement :
Source: www.kumasimail.com
