Reform Movement files application to register as a political party

Accra (Greater Accra) 8th June ?99

The Electoral Commission (EC) today confirmed it is processing an application from the Reform Movement (RM) to register as a political party.

Mr. David Kanga, Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, said on Monday that the commission is studying the completed forms submitted by the movement and will issue them a provisional licence if it satisfies the required conditions.

Under the Political Parties Law, the RM will get a provisional licence in seven days.

The application was submitted last week.

Mr. Kanga said the licence will enable the movement to continue to organise its activities towards the formation of a political party.

The RM, which is a breakaway group from the ruling NDC, said at its congress on February four and five that it would launch a political party on May four.

According to an Accra private weekly, the RM is in the process of forming a party to be known as the National Reform Party, with "Ghana First" as its slogan.

The colours of the party is a yellow sun rising over a white horizon and against a blue sky. Below the huge bright sun is the word " Reform" in red.

Under the Political Parties Law, the next step is for the RM to prove its national character by showing it has a National Head Office and offices in at least 66 per cent of the country's districts, among other requirements.

After the electoral commission has conducted its own investigations within 30 days and is satisfied, it will then issue the movement with a final certificate to operate as a political party. The registration of the National Reform Party will bring to nine the number of registered parties in the country.