EC to scrutinise prospective candidates for election

Accra (Greater Accra - The Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday said nomination forms of prospective candidates for the presidential and parliamentary elections would be scrutinised to ensure that the necessary electoral requirements are adhered to.

The public elections regulation requires that parliamentary and presidential candidates fill quadruplicate nomination forms and deliver them to the appropriate officer of the commission on the nomination days.

A prospective presidential candidate is required to complete a 62-page form, which must be endorsed by two registered voters resident in each district of the country.

Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan chairman of the EC explained in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra that the two registered voters are required to sign a declaration to nominate the candidate to stand for election as president of Ghana.

They are to provide their own personal data, which include name, voter identity card number, polling station name and number, residential address, occupation, date and signature or mark. Other requirements on the form include the consent to nomination for election by the flag bearer and the name of the vice presidential candidate, Voter ID card number, age, polling station and number, residential address, occupation, date and signature or mark.

Dr Afari-Gyan said the flag bearer and running mate are also to sign a statutory declaration as a candidate for election as president or vice president of Ghana before a magistrate or commissioner of Oath. In addition, the prospective candidate is to provide personal record of Voter ID card number, polling station number, sex, religion, date of birth, hometown and region.

The candidate is further required to provide residential address, highest educational qualification, Institution as well as present and last employment record, profession and marital status, with detailed information on the spouse, among others.

On completion and submission of the forms to the Executive Chairman of the EC, the candidate and two supporters are to sign the nomination form, indicating the time it was presented and accepted by the chairman.

Dr Afari-Gyan said a prospective parliamentary candidate requires 20 nominees from the constituency in which he or she is standing for election. They are also to provide personal information as that of those who endorsed for the presidential candidate. The candidate is also to sign a declaration before a Magistrate Grade (I or II) or a Commissioner of oath.

He said a prospective parliamentary candidate is also to provide personal data. The Returning Officer, the candidate and two supporters are to sign the nomination form and indicate the date and time it was presented and accepted.

The candidate will be given a copy of the duly signed nomination form as a certificate of his or her candidacy.

Candidates standing in the name of a political party are to produce authority from the party's headquarters that they are the bona fide candidates of the party to use its symbol while independent candidates are to select one of the symbols to be provided by the electoral commission.