The 2024 election cannot begin without my name on the ballot paper- Bernard Mornah

The disqualified 2024 presidential candidate for the People's National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah, has made a strong assertion concerning Ghana’s forthcoming general elections.

He stated that the Electoral Commission cannot commence the elections without his name on the ballot paper.

"I am telling you, without any hesitation that the Electoral Commission cannot and must not proceed with these elections if I am not on the ballot paper. We are a legitimate political party, and I am a legitimate candidate who has met the requirements set forth by the Constitution of Ghana. Excluding us from the elections would be a travesty of democracy," he is quoted by myjoyonline.com.

Bernard Mornah said this in an interview on the Prime Morning show on October 3, 2024.

His statement stems from the EC’s recent disqualification of himself and ten other hopefuls from the presidential race. However, the decision is currently being challenged in court by the PNC presidential candidate and his party.

Bernard Mornah believes that the decision by the Electoral Commission to remove him from the race is not only an unjust action but also unconstitutional.

He contended that the EC’s decision weakens the democratic process and disenfranchises a notable segment of the electorates, who deserve representation by the PNC.

He emphasised that his party fulfilled all constitutional requirements to participate in the elections.

"Why should the Electoral Commission, which is supposed to be a neutral body, suddenly become the decider of which candidates the people should have the option of choosing? Our constitution guarantees the right of every Ghanaian to participate in free and fair elections, and by extension, it guarantees the right of voters to choose from all qualified candidates," Mornah said.

He further argued that "This is not just about Bernard Mornah or the PNC but about protecting the sanctity of our democratic process. If today, the EC can disqualify me without proper justification, then tomorrow it could be another candidate or another party. We must not allow our democracy to be undermined in this manner."

Reacting to how he plans to prevent the EC from proceeding with the elections without him, Bernard Mornah said that he and his party are considering both legal and political options to resolve the issue.

He said that the PNC’s legal action against the EC prevents them from proceeding with any election-related activities till the issue is resolved.

He is determined to fight to make sure his name appears on the ballot paper.

However, the EC has defended its decision to disqualify 11 candidates and expressed readiness to face any legal action that may arise.

RAD/ ADG

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