Ghana’s Electoral Commissioner (EC), Mrs Charlotte Osei says the commission is ready to meet any of the 17 disqualified presidential candidates in court over its decision to disqualify them.
According to Mrs. Osei, the commission works within the parameters of the law and not on moral grounds. Monies belonging to the 17 who were disqualified will be refunded.
Responding to questions from the media during the Media Foundation for West Africa dialogue session in Tamale, Mrs. Osei said the commission heard that some of the disqualified presidential aspirants were not pleased with the EC’s action, but has not yet received any writ to appear before court on the legalities of its decision.
The EC’s legal team, she said, is ever ready to deal appropriately with the issue. The EC, Mrs. Osei said, implements laws passed by parliament and also has the responsibility of enforcing those laws.
The media dialogue was to offer journalists the opportunity to clarify issues concerning the EC’s constitutional mandate and its preparation towards ensuring credible and transparent 2016 elections.
The media, the EC chairperson said, is a key partner of the commission in the delivery of its mandate. “It is our wish and dreams that we have credible and transparent elections,” Mrs Charlotte Osei reiterated.
Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa, Mr Sulemana Braimah observed that elections are predominantly about sharing credible and accurate information.
The EC commissioners appeared before journalists in the north to clarify issues surrounding the commission’s decision. c
The dialogue session according to Mr Sulemana will be replicated in others parts of the region before December 7 to ensure that media practitioners understand the electoral process well from the EC.