Ayariga picks APC certificate

Barring any last-minute hitches, the All People’s Congress (APC) is expected to receive its Provisional Certificate from the Electoral Commission (EC) today.

The party, founded by Hassan Ayariga, described as the ‘Supreme Leader’ of the APC, currently boasts of 170 district offices, 10 regional offices and a national office.

A statement issued in Accra yesterday by the general secretary of the party stated that the party was set to receive the certificate at “the IPAC Conference Room of Electoral Commission at exactly 1:30 pm today.”

The statement, while entreating members to attend the function, stated that the ideology of the party is Social Democratic, precisely Liberal Socialism.

News of the party receiving its provisional certificate today comes days after the electoral body had dismissed media reports that it had registered APC to operate as a political party.

The EC was emphatic that it had not registered any new political party this year, discounting media reports about the purported registration.

The Commission in a statement signed by Christian Owusu-Parry, Acting Director, Public Affairs said, “The Electoral Commission wishes to inform the general public that contrary to reports in the media, the Commission has not registered any political parties this year.”
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It further indicated that people who apply for registration of their political parties have to meet certain requirements under the Political Parties Act 2000 (Act 574).

According to the EC, “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.”

Ayariga’s new party shares both logo and name with President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC in Nigeria.

He formed the party after he had lost the bid to lead the People’s National Convention (PNC) to Dr Edward Mahama, the founder, at the party’s congress last year.

The colours of the party are green, white and yellow while the symbol is a broom with the motto: “All Inclusive Governance.”