EC's disqualification was 'tsunami-like decision' - Ofosu Ampofo

Director of Elections of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has lauded the Electoral Commissioner, Charlotte Osei for disqualifying thirteen Presidential aspirants from contesting the 2016 elections.

He described the EC Boss' decision as bold; stressing that it takes a person with courage like Charlotte Osei to make such decisions.

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo found it disturbing that the disqualified candidates failed to meet the requirements for filing their forms when an independent candidate could make the list.

According to him, politics is a serious business and it behoves the political actors to be well-organized as they pursue their political careers, particularly the Presidential slot.

"...one would say that if an independent candidate has been able to organize himself such that he’s gone through this; it becomes very unpardonable when established political parties are unable to go through this system. What did the independent candidate do to succeed in getting these things? It is all about; in fact politics is all about organization and you need to put your acts together. It’s a very serious business and especially if you want to be the President of the Republic of Ghana, you must show that you are very serious of that [those] intentions

“The decision of the Electoral Commissioner is a very bold one. Very earth-shaking, a tsunami-like decision; it takes people with courage and people who believe in what they are doing to take the decision that they have taken.”

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo wondered why the PNC flagbearer Dr. Edward Mahama, with all his experience in Ghana's electoral system, failed to be guided by such to make the list of the qualified candidates.

He was saddened by Dr. Edward Mahama's disqualification, saying "he has participated in all the elections we’ve conducted in the country. So, when we talk about experienced hands; I believe Edward Mahama will be one of the most experience persons as a Presidential candidate. That experience should have guided him to ensure he wouldn’t have fallen into this situation…It’s painful. It’s very painful that a party like PNC is facing such a situation.”

He also expressed worry that Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom was also disqualified because to him, the PPP flagbearer has stepped up his game in this electioneering year.