The People’s National Convention (PNC) has formally appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to reconsider its decision to disqualify Bernard Mornah, the party’s flag bearer, from contesting in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
The PNC’s appeal comes in light of the EC’s admission of human errors and omissions in the management of the provisional voters register (PVR).
At an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Samson Asaki Awingobit, the National Chairman of the PNC, called upon the EC to show fairness and reassess their disqualification of Mornah.
“We commend the EC for admitting their mistakes and striving to improve, but fairness means that our disqualification, based on errors, should also be re-examined. Since errors are inevitable, we deserve the opportunity to participate in the election.”
Samson Asaki Awingobit, the National Chairman of the PNC
The PNC, led by Bernard Mornah himself, has already filed a lawsuit at the Accra High Court.
In the application filed on September 24, 2024, Mornah seeks multiple forms of relief, including an order to nullify the EC’s decision to disqualify him and a mandamus order compelling the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, to declare him eligible to contest in the 2024 presidential election.
In his court filing, Mornah is also asking for an injunction that would prevent the EC from moving forward with any activities related to the presidential election until his case is resolved.
Mornah has contended that his disqualification was improper and that he was duly nominated by the PNC in accordance with electoral laws.
The PNC’s legal argument is built on the EC’s own admission of errors and Mornah’s belief that he has been wrongfully disqualified, calling the decision unjust and unfair.
Mornah has been a longstanding figure in Ghanaian politics and is a former chairman of the PNC. His disqualification has been a significant blow to the party’s preparations for the elections.
EC’s Admission of Errors
The EC had previously admitted that some of the issues raised regarding the provisional voters register by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) were caused by human errors.
In an unprecedented move, the EC openly recognized that the complex nature of managing an electoral process is prone to mistakes. While this admission was aimed at increasing transparency and trust in the electoral process, it has opened the door for other political parties, such as the PNC, to challenge decisions made based on these errors.
Awingobit argued that if the EC acknowledges the inevitability of human errors, then Bernard Mornah’s disqualification should be reconsidered under the same principle of fairness.
“We understand that no system is perfect, but if the EC can accept that human errors are a natural part of the process, then it should follow that the disqualification of our candidate, which was based on similar errors, be revisited.”
Samson Asaki Awingobit, the National Chairman of the PNC
The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Tuesday was notable not only for its content but also for being the first to be televised live.
The move to broadcast the discussions was intended to foster greater transparency and trust in the electoral process, particularly as the country heads into what is expected to be a highly contested election in 2024.
The televised IPAC meeting allowed citizens to witness firsthand the debates and discussions between the EC and representatives from various political parties, including the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition NDC.
Discussions centered on the need to ensure that the 2024 elections are free, fair, and credible. One of the key topics of concern was the accuracy of the voters register and the EC’s role in maintaining it.
The NDC and other opposition parties raised concerns over potential flaws in the voters register, which they claim could undermine the credibility of the election. The EC, for its part, reiterated its commitment to addressing the issues raised and improving the electoral process.
Awingobit made it clear that the PNC’s appeal was not simply about securing Mornah’s candidacy but was part of a larger demand for fairness in the electoral process.
He further underscored the importance of inclusivity in the elections, urging the EC to reconsider the decision in the interest of fairness and democratic principles.
For now, the PNC awaits a response from the EC and the outcome of their court case, hoping for a resolution that will allow Mornah to participate in the 2024 presidential race. The party remains adamant that its disqualification is an injustice that must be rectified, not only for their candidate but for the integrity of the election as a whole.
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