Don't contest the polls if EC is in bed with NDC - Apaak tells NPP

A presidential staffer and parliamentary candidate for the Builsa South constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Clement Apaak has rubbished the commentary by lawyer Obiri Boahen that government influenced the disqualification of candidates in the presidential election.

In an interview with Rainbow Radio 87.5fm, the parliamentary candidate said he will not just be surprised but shocked if some Ghanaians have the perception that, government is influencing the Electoral Commission (EC) to prevent Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and others from contesting the presidential election on December 7, 2016.

Lawyer Obiri Boahen, a deputy general secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the same show posited that government was influencing the EC to prevent the disqualified candidates especially Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom to contest the polls.

However, Dr. Clement Apaak refuted the commentary by the NPP’s executive.

He said, "I feel more scandalized that a man like his [Obiri Boahen’s] caliber and a deputy general secretary of a political party will make a statement on a national platform alluding to what he claims, a perception."

Dr. Apaak stated that it has been the trademark of the NPP to consistently attack the integrity of the EC and any other institution in as far as the behavior of that institution, does not go in their [NPP’s] favour.

He cited the attack on the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling on the election petition in 2012 which affirmed the legitimacy of President Mahama to support his argument.

"We are not surprised, but the attempt to suggest that this is a perception will not wash. It is neither here nor there… It is a figment of their imagination."

Dr. Clement Apaak stressed the need for the NPP to desist from attacking institutions when such institutions fail to do their bidding.

Such attacks he lamented will not help in building our democracy.

When asked to comment on the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to review the Accra High Court’s decision to allow the Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom of the PPP, amend his nomination forms, Dr. Apaak said it is a constitutional right of the EC.

He further expressed shock that lawyer Obiri Boahen will have qualms with the decision by the EC to seek for review.

"We must allow the law to take its course. We must not try to impute any motives simply because the EC has decided to exercise its right in as far as its constitutional mandate is concerned… If the EC has decided to go to court to seek for further interpretation about a judgment passed by a by a lower court, why would anyone try to use it as basis to make a claim that cannot be justified by an iota of evidence to the effect that our party [NDC] is in bed with the EC?"

"If that is the perception of the NPP, then why are they wasting their time contesting the elections? The truth is that, it is neither here nor there. The EC will continue to function as a constitutionally mandated body, conduct a free, fair and transparent election, allow the good people of Ghana make their choice and we believe it is going to be the NDC."