Selection of the 13 candidates to contest presidential election was fraudulently done - Nabla

The presidential candidate of the People’s National Party (PNP), Madam Janet Nabla, has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of engaging in fraud in its vetting and approval of the 13 candidates cleared to contest the presidential election.

The Electoral Commission (EC) last week disqualified 11 presidential aspirants in the 2024 election. The Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, explained that 11 out of the 24 aspirants were disqualified for various reasons, including incomplete forms, using voters from one district to represent another, repeating voters in multiple districts, not having tax certificates, vice-presidential candidates lacking tax certificates, and unsigned forms by vice-presidential candidates, among other issues.

The EC’s technical team scrutinized the forms submitted to ensure that aspirants satisfied the qualifications set out by law, including the fulfilment of tax obligations.

In the specific case of Madam Nabla, the EC cited the use of registration details of particular voters to support her nomination in districts outside their own. Additionally, her vice-presidential candidate did not sign the forms, and these issues were not resolved, leading to her disqualification.

Reacting to the disqualification, Madam Nabla criticized the EC, describing the commissioners as ‘Trojan Horses’ who specifically targeted her for disqualification. Speaking to Kwabena Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, she dared the EC to publish all the errors identified on her forms, particularly the claim that her running mate failed to sign the forms.

Although she later withdrew her description of the commissioners as ‘Trojan Horses,’ she maintained that the vetting and approval process for the 13 candidates was fraudulent, lacked transparency, and was rigged.

She further stated that her party would be heading to court and seeking an injunction on the presidential election, claiming the EC engaged in a deliberate scheme to disqualify her.

"The EC chair, who is meant to lead the institution and perform her duties independently, has shown lethargy.

"She should be competent, yet she has exhibited incompetence and laziness. This EC is a time bomb and a menace to Ghana’s democracy.

"It is our responsibility as Ghanaians to be concerned about how it is leading the country toward turmoil and anarchy. What type of country do we run? Anyone who is on the ballot for president is a disgrace. The process is a scam, and the 13 candidates were chosen using ‘kululu.’ I knew our democracy was in trouble, but I had no idea how bad things were until I filed to run for office," she concluded.