EC Should Strictly Apply Political Party Law

The Electoral Commission has reportedly ordered all political parties to set up offices in two thirds of the 275 constituencies in the country, as specified by law, before they would be allowed to contest the November 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Indeed, in a statement issued yesterday, the EC writes: The Electoral Commission wishes to inform the general public that, contrary to reports in the media, the Commission has not registered any political party this year.

The Commission further wishes to clarify that, persons who apply for registration of political parties have several requirements which must be met, under the Political Parties Act 2000 (Act 574).

Until these requirements have been met and a party has been issued with a final registration certificate, the party seeking registration cannot conduct its activities as a political party.

The Commission is accordingly advising and reminding applicants that it is against the provisions of Act 574 to canvass for votes, until the party has been issued with a final registration certificate. We trust that political actors and the general public will be guided accordingly.

The founder and presidential candidate of the United People's Party (UPP), Mr. Akwasi Addae Odike is, however, not happy with the directive. Speaking on a radio station in Kumasi, Odike suggested to the EC to allow the less endowed political parties to operate in 'offices under trees.'

“I am only suggesting if the EC can accept offices under trees; I don't think there should be something wrong with that, because even a whole government is struggling to build classrooms across the country, so some kids are forced to learn under trees,” he argued, adding “We are doing everything possible to meet such demands, but in case we are not able to fulfill all, I think it would be fair for the EC to reconsider the issue.”

The UPP leader pointed out that though he believes the requirement is necessary, he however, thinks it would be unfair for the EC to disqualify any political party simply on the basis that it does not have offices in two-thirds of the 275 constituencies. The Chronicle is happy that the EC has at long last, decided to implement the law backing the operation of political parties in Ghana.

The media and The Chronicle in particular have always expressed their view over the way political parties are springing up in Ghana and wondering by which method the EC has been using to register them. As the EC itself is now quoting, a political party should have offices in not less than two thirds of the 275 constituencies in Ghana.

But apart from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and to some lesser extent the Convention People's Party (CPP), Progressive People's Party (PPP) and People National Convention (PNC), the rest cannot boost of offices in even hundred constituencies in the country.

Surprisingly, when it comes to elections, some of these political parties we describe as jokers are allowed to register and contest the elections. The EC must be careful not to allow the formation of political parties to become another avenue for money making in Ghana. The political party law must, therefore, be strictly applied to ward off pranksters and those seeking to use it to advance the interest of their businesses.

For a political party to suggest that it should be allowed to operate under trees because government assisted basic schools are also functioning under trees, tells one of the caliber of people behind some of these so called political parties. The Chronicle insists that the EC must apply the law without fear or favour, to ensure the integrity of our democracy.