Supreme Court to hear case on November 4

Europa

November 2, 2016 3:04 PM

The court presided over by Justice Yaw Pwamang moved the date of hearing from next week to Friday, November 4, 2016.

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The Supreme Court has abridged the date for the hearing of an application filed by the Electoral Commission (EC) seeking to quash a ruling by an Accra High Court in connection with the presidential nomination of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, flag bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP).

He also asked the lawyers for Dr. Ndoum who is the interested party in the suit to file their written submissions by noon on Thursday.

Background

A ruling by the High Court last week compelled the commission to allow Dr Nduom to correct errors he made on his nomination forms for which reason he was disqualified from the race.

But the Electoral Commission subsequently filed an appeal to challenge the High Court ruling asking it to allow the Progressive People’s Party flagbearer to correct the mistakes he made.

The election management body resorted to the Supreme Court to seek review of the High court ruling.

An earlier statement signed by the Head of Communications at the EC, Eric Dzakpasu, and copied to Pulse.com.ghsaid: “Having carefully studied the contents of the judgment, we respectfully disagree with the High Court judge’s decision on several essential legal and public policy grounds.

"The Commission is of the firm conviction backed by the law, that candidates seeking the highest office of the land, must take full responsibility for ensuring that their nomination forms meet the standard in form and substance, required by the law.

"The Commission is further of the view that falsified signatures on nomination forms constitute a matter for criminal investigation and are not mere anomalies or clerical errors, which should be pointed out to candidates for corrections to be effected."

The Commision argues that, "as in other jurisdictions, presidential candidates must ensure the accuracy of the information on documents which they present under oath to public institutions. Failure to place this burden on the shoulders of the candidates, has serious implications for our democratic growth and electoral justice."

Meanwhile, Policy Advisor for the PPP, Kofi Siaw has toldPulse.com.gh that the move by the EC is unfortunate, adding "I don't know what they (EC) have against the PPP."