Electoral Commission Condemns Political Parties

The Electoral Commission (EC) has condemned political parties for allegedly providing financial and material support to their members who are contesting the forthcoming district level elections. The Commission said those activities undermined democratic principles and violated the District Level Elections Law.

The Ashanti Regional Director of EC, Samuel Yorke-Aidoo told aspiring Assemblymen that the commission was inundated with reports of alleged financial and material support to certain candidates, who had lineages with certain political parties.

He was speaking at a workshop for aspiring assembly members organized by the United Support Network, a NGO. based in Kumasi. He reminded the political parties of the existence of the District Assemblies Elections Law 1994, Act 473, and urged those involved to desist from the practice to ensure free and fair elections at the district level.

Mr. Yorke-Aidoo also reminded the candidates of the laws banning persons above 70 years and students who were not paying taxes and levies from contesting the elections. He said a new dimension has been introduced into the electioneering. These include seminars and fora for aspiring candidates, publication of biography and others.