PPP’s search for EC chair to serve contempt suit being elusive

Communication Director of the Progressive People’s Party, (PPP) Paa Kow Ackon says the party has not given up on its search for the EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei to serve her with a contempt suit.

The PPP on Monday secured a contempt suit against the EC Chair for accepting the party’s filing fee last week for the presidential election, despite an interlocutory injunction against the acceptance. But speaking to 3FM Morning Show host Winston Amoah, Paa Kow Ackon indicated the bailiff has not been able serve the Chairman of the Commission Charlotte Osei as at Tuesday morning.

“she was nowhere to be found, though we need to serve her so that she can prepare to answer r before the court why strict instructions were given for her not to collect the fees but she failed to comply with the directive of the court,” he said.

Defence

When criticized for flouting its own injunction by presenting the party’s Banker’s draft for payment of its filing fees, Paa Kow Ackon defended the party’s action explaining they were only complying with the rules and requirements for political parties in submission of documents to the Electoral Body.

He insisted the party only wanted to err on the side of caution by complying with Definition 8 of Constitution Instrument (CI) I 94, which he said required them to comply with the certain rules under NDC law 280 that has been placed with Act 550”.

He listed some requirements as completed statutory declaration Form, banker’s draft, and four passport pictures.

He argued that the responsibility lies with the EC Chair who is the Returning Officer, not to have received it because of the injunction in place.

He further explained that the import of the injunction is to seek a declaration or a legal instrument to determine the amount of fees to be paid to prevent any form of illogical or subjective determination of same.

He stressed that the contention is not about the amount to be paid but the modalities to determine the quantum at any given time.

He was emphatic that the party would not rescind its decision to go to court despite claims that the action will disrupt the election calendar.

According to him, the problem of the country is procrastination.