Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Jean Mensa, has assured presidential candidates that the filing of nominations and its scrutiny by the electoral body would be done in accordance with the law.
In an address she delivered while receiving the nomination forms of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s presidential candidate, today, Monday September 9, 2024, she said the EC will be fair but apply the law while scrutinising the forms submitted by the presidential candidates.
She revealed that as part of efforts to ensure a transparent, credible, transparent, and accountable process, the EC has developed a detailed checklist that embodies the criteria to be satisfied by presidential candidates as prescribed by law.
The checklist will guide the awarding of marks by teams established by the Commission to scrutinise and review each of the nomination forms submitted.
According to her, just as was done in 2020, the EC has established two teams to review the forms submitted, including the technical team, which has been tasked with reviewing forms to ensure presidential candidates meet the qualifications as set out by law, namely, that the candidate is at least forty years of age, that he or she has satisfied all tax obligations, and that he or she has nominated a vice presidential candidate, among others. The second team, namely the IT team, has been tasked with the responsibility of scrutinising the ID cards of the presidential candidates and their supporters so as to verify whether the candidates and their supporters are registered voters. Both teams have provided adequate training and have been orientated to carry out their functions as prescribed by law.
The EC stated that the guiding principle for both teams is clear and is to operate in accordance with the law and not to exercise discretion in the matter.
‘’Above all, they have been tasked to be fair and firm in executing their duties. We have no doubt that the process will be transparent, fair, and peaceful. Additionally, we are confident that the five-day period provided for the filing process as supposed to the two processes prior to 2020 will allow for enough time for the presidential candidates to make the necessary corrections identified in their forms. We are confident this will eliminate the tension and rancour that characterised the filing process prior to the 2020 election.’’
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
