President Akufo-Addo presents forms to EC boss, Jean Mensa
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday filed his nomination at the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest the December 7 presidential elections on the ticket of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The President, who arrived at the premises of the Commission in the company of Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, used the occasion to urge the elections management body to ensure that the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, with a level playing field for all the parties.
After handing over his nomination form, the filling fee GHC100, 000 and other relevant documents to the Returning Officer for the December 7 presidential polls, EC Chairperson Mrs Jean Mensa, President Akufo-Addo thanked the Commission for the expeditious process he was taken through.
The President noted that the NPP’s democratic values are non-negotiable, stressing: “My running mate and I represent a party that, from its inception in 1947, has been committed to democratic governance,” adding that the NPP’s respect to democratic principles remains unwavering.
“So for us, the Ghana of today, with multi-party open democratic system, is a matter that responds to our deepest convictions and values. The step that is being taken today is a necessary incident in democratic governance,” he said.
Arbiter
“We are counting on you to be the arbiter that holds the scales evenly to all contestants. What the Ghanaian people are expecting is that the election in December 7 will be an election conducted in peace, freedom and security and in transparency so that the results of the elections will reflect the will of the Ghanaian people.
“Elections are not meant to be decided by the EC, or the officials that work for you. You are the referees of the contest. Elections are to be decided by the people of Ghana, and we are hoping that the arrangements that you have put in place will enable the Ghanaian people to manifest their will on December 7 and choose the next government of the fourth Republic,” he said.
No crooked results
President Akufo-Addo commended the EC for doing a yeoman’s job, adding that the Commission’s leadership has shown that it is competent and committed to free, fair, credible and transparent elections.
The President urged the Commission to avoid engaging in any activity that will mar the transparency of the election results.
“I am not interested in any crooked results, and I do not want to be a President elected by deceit. I look forward to a contest that would be fairly conducted so that if, indeed, by the grace of God Almighty, that I am again the choice of the Ghanaian people, it will be one that would be freely and openly demonstrated,” he stated
EC
For her part, Electoral Commissioner Jean Mensa said the President had made history by becoming the first sitting President to personally submit his nomination form.
Mrs Jean Mensa said, as part of the Commission’s efforts to ensure a transparent, credible, fair and accountable process, it has developed a detailed checklist that embodies the criteria to be satisfied by the presidential candidates, as prescribed by law.
She added that the template will guide the scoring and awarding of marks by teams established by the Commission to scrutinise and review each of the nomination forms submitted.
She again said the Commission has set up two teams who have been tasked to review all the forms submitted.
She further said an IT team has been put in place, and charged with the responsibility of scrutinising all the Voter IDs of the presidential candidates and their supporters to verify whether the candidates and their supporters are, indeed, registered voters.
“We have no doubt that the process will be transparent, fair and peaceful,” she assured.
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