The NDC has voiced its discontent with the Electoral Commission’s recent decision to disqualify its Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for the Amenfi Central Constituency, Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe.
During a press conference led by Amenfi Constituency Secretary, Hon. Fiifi Sangmoah, the NDC declared that it would not accept this decision.
Sangmoah further described the EC’s actions as undemocratic and unconstitutional, labeling them as provocative and blatantly orchestrated by the Commission’s leadership.
“The EC has shown gross incompetence by unlawfully disqualifying our duly elected parliamentary candidate for the Amenfi Central Constituency, Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe for which the Electoral Commission supervised all the process leading to her candidature.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me set the records straight: On May 13, 2023, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) conducted its parliamentary primaries in the Amenfi Central Constituency, where Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe won overwhelmingly as the chosen candidate”.
Hon. Fiifi Sangmoah
He noted that, following the victory, some dissatisfied individuals filed a lawsuit at the Sekondi High Court challenging the election’s legitimacy.
Sangmoah mentioned that an interlocutory injunction was issued, temporarily preventing Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe from claiming the title of a duly elected parliamentary candidate until the substantive matter was resolved.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation and the electoral timelines, the NDC’s Functional Executive Committee wisely decided to annul the May 13, 2023, elections and hold fresh primaries. “Thus, fresh elections took place on September 8, 2024”.
He indicated that while five candidates initially contested the May election, only Joana Gyan Cudjoe and incumbent Peter Kwakye-Ackah filed and went through the vetting process for the September 2024 rerun.
Sangmoah further stated that the September election adhered to all party rules and electoral guidelines, with supervision by the Electoral Commission, which was kept informed at every step.
NDC Declares Cudjoe as Clear and Uncontested Winner
Furthermore, Hon. Fiifi Sangmoah stated that the process was transparent, with Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe being declared the clear and decisive winner, free from protests or objections from the other candidates, and without any controversies surrounding the process.
He emphasized that the September 8 election took precedence over the May election, rendering the earlier contest irrelevant and reinforcing Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s legitimacy as the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Amenfi Central.
Consequently, Sangmoah argued that the September 2024 election made the May 2023 election null and void, effectively resetting the timeline.
As such, he lamented that despite these clear facts, the Electoral Commission attempted to disqualify Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe.
“The May 2023 election, which was the subject of that injunction, no longer exists. It was annulled and replaced by the fresh September 2024 election.
“The EC supervised the acclamation of Joana Gyan Cudjoe, allowed her to go through the filling of nominations for the December 2024 polls process. The EC made no objections during these critical moments. And now, suddenly, they claim she is disqualified based on an injunction tied to an annulled election”.
Hon. Fiifi Sangmoah
Accordingly, Sangmoah stated that the NDC will fight back with all its resources and will not relent until justice is served and the people’s will is restored.
He called on the Electoral Commission to reinstate Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s name on the notice of poll and, consequently, on the ballot papers for Amenfi Central.
He warned that the NDC in Amenfi Central will accept the results on December 7, 2024, only if Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe remains a contender. “…we also have the conviction that our able Parliamentary Candidate’s name will be reinstated for all of us to vote massively for Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe”.
As such, he assured NDC supporters that the Constituency Executives will continue to collaborate with the Regional and National Executives to resolve this issue once and for all.
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