Ruling NPP manipulated EC to disqualify Joana Gyan, but we’re resisting - NDC Members

Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Amenfi Central constituency claim that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) manipulated the Electoral Commission (EC) to disqualify their parliamentary candidate, Madam Joana Gyan.

The aggrieved party supporters accused the government of manipulating the EC to disqualify their parliamentary candidate, whom they regarded as a threat and potential winner of the constituency election.

The party supporters staged a brief protest, warning the EC to reverse its decision to disqualify their candidate because it is without merit, basis, or a political agenda.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Amenfi Central, Joana Gyan, from contesting the parliamentary election.

The EC, in a statement, said its attention has been drawn to an Order for Interlocutory Injunction dated May 31, 2024, in respect of a suit entitled Gyedu Frimpong & 4 Others vs. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, the National Democratic Congress, and the Electoral Commission (Suit No. E12/36/24) by the High Court, Sekondi.

The order from the court has stated that, until the final determination of the matter, the candidate is restrained from holding herself as the candidate for the NDC in the parliamentary election.

The EC has also been ordered not to afford the candidate any rights or privileges as the duly elected NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Amenfi Central Constituency.

“In this regard, we write to inform you that you have been disqualified from standing as a candidate for election to Parliament in your constituency,” the statement signed and issued by Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, said.

However, the NDC supporters declared their disappointment in the EC, stressing the need for the electoral body to immediately reverse the decision.

"We are alarmed by the apparent collusion between the Electoral Commission and the government aimed at disqualifying our candidate, Joana Gyan, thereby preventing her from contesting. Our constituency lawfully elected her as a parliamentary candidate, and any disqualification would be unwarranted. We hereby notify that her exclusion would lead to our non-participation in the elections.

"Following a disputed initial election, Joana Gyan secured a decisive victory in the NDC-organized rerun. Our findings indicate that the Electoral Commission is working in tandem with the NPP to disqualify her, largely due to her substantial contributions to the constituency, which make her the likely parliamentary election winner. We will vigorously resist any disqualification attempts lacking merit.”

"...We are confident in our candidate’s victory in the parliamentary election, and we will not let unjust tactics undermine her success. If the election is fair and we lose, we will graciously accept the outcome. However, we will vigorously oppose any attempts to disqualify her on unfounded grounds, said the leader of the concerned NDC members."