Compel EC to accept nomination forms- IPP tells Court

The Independent People’s Party (IPP) and its Presidential Aspirant, Mr. Kofi Appaloo, has filed a writ of mandamus at an Accra Fast Track High Court praying it to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to accept its nominations forms to contest for Election 2012.

The IPP noted that the acceptance of the nomination forms would enable the party’s Flag bearer, Mr. Appaloo to take part in the December 7 Presidential Election.

According to the IPP, the EC acted arbitrarily when it failed to accept the Flag bearer’s nomination form adding, that conduct amounted to public neglect.

The party noted that the EC’s own law gave way for party to amend their nomination form but the EC blatantly refused to grant them that opportunity and accept the party’s forms.

The Fast Track High Court, presided over by Mr. U. P Dery fixed November 6, for ruling.

According to the court, it had received statement of case and the affidavits in opposition filed by the IPP and EC respectively.

Speaking to journalists after court sittings in Accra on Tuesday, Mr. Richard Laapo said the EC gave nomination forms to political parties to fill and present them to the commission.

He said IPP after going through formalities submitted the forms in accordance with the regulation, the EC however after going through the forms concluded that they were not completed. The EC said some aspects of the form were not signed or thumb printed.

Mr. Laapo said the forms indicated that it could bear signatories and be marked.

He said the IPP marked portions of the nomination forms as they were no indications as to which one was the correct way to fill out the form.

Instead of the EC allowing them to amend the nomination forms, Mr Laapo said the Commission rather rejected it.