EC disqualifies candidate for Assembly elections for using party identity.

The Electoral Commission of Ghana has disqualified a candidate, contesting the upcoming District Assembly elections in the Maakro electoral Area in the Ashanti Region.

The un-named candidate, according to the EC breached article 4 clauses “a” and “b” of the District Assembly Elections Act, 1994.

The Director of Elections, Mr. Samuel Tettey made the revelations at a workshop on improving the quality of information in the electoral process for the journalists in Kumasi.

Organized by the Electoral Commission the event was sponsored by the USAID.

According to Mr. Tettey, the candidate had mounted billboards, depicting the symbol, flagbearer, party card and other specific identities of a major political party.

“This act is in clear contravention of the District Assembly Elections Act, 1994”. Mr. Tettey explained.

He said another candidate reported the matter to the Ashanti Regional office with pictorial evidence; the affected candidate was given a hearing whereupon he admitted to the offence but blamed it on his ignorance on the Act 1994.

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse, so the Commission has decided to disqualify the candidate from contesting the forthcoming District Assembly elections”. He said

Adding that, “the candidate has been informed of the decision of the Commission to disqualify him”.

“The Commission will officially write to him and document the decision”. Mr. Tettey said.

He advised all candidates to abreast themselves of the regulations governing the exercise to avoid a breach which will compel their disqualification.

The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, Mr. George Sarpong admonished the media from demonizing the EC.

“The media and Political Parties must refrain from impugning the hard won integrity of the Electoral Commission as the nation heads for another election”. He charged.

Adding that, “there is no gain in denigrating the image of the EC and its hardworking officials for political capital”.

Stressing that, “further acts of attacks on the integrity of the EC could be inimical to the nation’s fledgling democracy”

Mr. Sarpong called on the media to endeavor to upgrade and update themselves on the activities of the EC.

“This will enable you to well-inform the general public who largely depend on you for information” He added.