The lawsuit filed by the People’s National Convention (PNC) against the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has been adjourned to October 16, 2024.
The legal battle centres on the exclusion of Bernard Mornah, the PNC’s presidential candidate, from the upcoming December 7 general elections ballot.
Speaking to the media shortly after the adjournment, Bernard Mornah, alongside key party executives, expressed his confidence in the eventual outcome, accusing the EC of attempting to sabotage the electoral process.
He expressed gratitude to some senior members of the PNC including Vice Presidential Candidate Joycelyn Akorfa Dortse, National Chairman, Vice Chairman, and National Youth Organizer, and praised party loyalists who attended the court hearing.
“First, let me thank the members of our party who joined us in court today. I can see the next vice president, Joycelyn Akorfa Dortse she’s here. You can see the national chairman, Samson Asadi Awingobi. The best vice chairman Martin. And then the youth organizer and elders of our party, our national women’s organizer. They are all here”.
Bernard Mornah, Presidential Candidate for the People’s National Convention
However, in a sharp criticism of the EC’s handling of the electoral process, Bernard Mornah contended that the Electoral Commission of Ghana is deliberately stalling the court process, knowing that they had wronged the PNC.
“One thing is certain: the Electoral Commission is running away because they know that they did injustice to us. Otherwise, why would the Electoral Commission, which has to conduct an election on December 7, 2024, delay the processes it is embarking upon?”
Bernard Mornah, Presidential Candidate for the People’s National Convention
His grievances stem from the EC’s decision to exclude his candidacy from the presidential ballot, a move he viewed as not only unjust but also detrimental to the democratic process.
EC Shirking Responsibility
He further argued that the EC was using the ongoing court case as a pretext to avoid fulfilling its duties, stating that the Commission was attempting to “de-organize” the elections.
“What the EC is doing carefully through the courts is that they will not print ballots, they will not do anything, and then come and blame it on our court processes. They want to say that because of our legal challenge, they were not allowed to proceed with the necessary steps”.
Bernard Mornah, Presidential Candidate for the People’s National Convention
He expressed concern that this delay could lead to a disruption of the scheduled December 7 elections, casting doubt over the EC’s ability to manage the situation.
“Therefore, the 7th December elections may be in limbo,” Bernard Mornah warned, accusing the Commission of putting the entire electoral process at risk.
Despite these challenges, the PNC’s Presidential Candidate, Bernard Mornah remained optimistic about the legal proceedings.
He revealed that the presiding judge had indicated the possibility of delivering a judgment without hearing detailed arguments from both sides.
This development, Bernard Mornah said, had bolstered his confidence in a favourable outcome.
“When I listened to the judge, I was very excited. He says that upon the filing of the statement of case by the EC, he can easily go through and make a judgment without necessarily hearing the argument of both counsels”.
Bernard Mornah, Presidential Candidate for the People’s National Convention
Looking ahead to the next court date, Bernard Mornah expressed his firm belief that the judgment would go in his favor, paving the way for his inclusion on the ballot.
“I am more than convinced that on the 16th of October, instead of coming here for the hearing, we may come, and the judge would conclude that the EC should include me on the ballot, and then we are good to go for elections 2024”.
Bernard Mornah, Presidential Candidate for the People’s National Convention
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