Opposition leader Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has successfully submitted his nominations to contest the 2016 presidential election in December.
The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) personally presented his forms to the Chairman of the Electoral Commission Thursday morning.
At exactly 8:50 am, Nana Akufo-Addo arrived at the EC’s office for the historic exercise.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei flanked by two other commissioners examined his forms and accepted his nomination forms, giving him a ‘partial’ green light to contest the December 7 elections as a presidential candidate.
He was accompanied by the Acting Chairman of the party, Freddy Blay, Acting General Secretary John Boadu, Chairman of the Council of Elders C.K Tedam, former National Chairman Peter Mac Manu and former Finance Minister Osafo Maafo. Others included Prof. Mike Ocquaye, Oboshie Sai Cofei, Mr. Obiri Boahene Deputy General Secretary and National Women’s Organiser Otiko Djaba.
However, the Electoral Commission declined to accept the controversial GH50,000 it is charging as filing fees for presidential candidates due to court injunction served on it by the Progressive People’s Party on Wednesday.
After two unsuccessful attempts at the presidency, the 72-year-old astute lawyer, Akufo-Addo, is banking his hope on what he described as incompetent leadership of President John Mahama to make it in his third consecutive time.
The presidential candidate also presented the nomination forms for all the 275 parliamentary candidates of the New Patriotic Party.
The acceptance of nomination forms for both presidential and parliamentary elections began today, September 29, 2016. The electoral body says it will close nominations by 5:00pm on Friday, September 30, 2016.
It is however not clear how many of the 23 individuals and parties who picked the nomination forms would duly submit their forms to contest the 2016 general elections after many had criticized the EC for pegging the filing fees as high as GH50,000.
There was a tight police security presence at the Commission under the leadership of the Adabraka District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Kwesi Ofori.
Meanwhile the United People’s Party, United Front Party, and the All People’s Congress in that order have also submitted their presidential and some parliamentary nomination forms.
By Isaac Essel | 3news.com | Ghana