Nineteen aspiring MPs withdraw from race

Eight days before Ghana's elections, 19 parliamentary candidates have withdrawn from the contest. Most likely, the withdrawals will help the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December 7 parliamentary elections.

At least two of the candidates have indicated they will support the candidates of the NDC). They are the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) candidate for Chereponi, Alahji Abubakar Shaibu Malba, and the People's National Convention's (PNC) candidate for Odododiodio, Baba Imoro.

The others are nine independent, three from the United Ghana Movement (UGM), two each from National Reform Party (NRP) and PNC, and one each from , EGLE and Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP).

Information available to the Ghana News Agency shows that it is too late for the political parties to replace the candidates. The deadline for nominations was September 15.

Electoral regulations on withdrawal state that a candidate may withdraw at any time prior to the day before election by personally writing to the Electoral Commission (EC).

The regulations state further that if the notice of withdrawal comes after the ballot papers and related election notices have been printed, the candidate's name will remain on the ballot papers and related notices and the candidate will lose the deposit paid at the time of nominations.

The candidates who withdrew are:

UGM - West Mamprusi, Saibu Mohammed Awalu; Cape Coast, James Aggrey; Ayawaso East, Bismark A Abagli.

NRP- Akan, Peter Kwasi Edison Ansa, Nadowli North, Domayele Marcel Aston.

PNC - Gukpegu/Sabongida, Amusa Fuseini.

EGLE - Nkoranza, Thomas Owusu-Ansah (the party's only candidate).

GCPP- Effutu, Alex Kweku Aidoo.

Independent - Korle Klottey, Maclean Akuffo; Sawla/Kalba, Bajanju A Sey; Bantama, George Kwasi Boadu; Birim North, Emmanuel Oti Obeng; Kintampo, Alhassan Seidu Harrison; Ho Central, Lt Col Stephen B Ashun; Shama, Hayford E Lamptey; Anlo, Goyimwole Enukomeko Kpodo; and Akuapim South, Wayak Gbeckor-Kove.

According to figures compiled by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), 1,063 candidates are now contesting the December elections.

This represents 73.3 per cent increase in the 1996 figure of 780.

The figures show that 55 candidates are contesting as independent. Seven political parties are supporting the rest. They are NDC,NPP, CPP, NRP, PNC, UGM, and GCPP.

In 1996, a total of 57 candidates ran as independent. Eight political parties supported the rest.

The breakdown shows that the NDC is contesting all 200 seats this year and has nominated about 75 per cent of their sitting MPs for re-election.

NPP is contesting 197 seats, CPP 191, NRP 171, PNC 143 and UGM 103.

GCPP is contesting two seats, Ablekuma Central in Greater Accra and Navrongo Central in the Upper East Region.

The Greater Accra Region has 22 seats, Eastern Region 26, Western Region 19, Central Region 17, Ashanti 33, Brong Ahafo 21, Northern 23, Volta 19, Upper East 12 and Upper West 8.

Significantly, the UGM has fielded candidates in only 15 seats in Greater Accra, 10 in the Eastern Region, 4 in Western Region, 7 in the Central Region, 16 Ashanti and 8 in Brong Ahafo.

Ashanti Region has the highest number of candidates with 175. That compares to 110 in 1996.

Upper West has 36 candidates compared to 28 in 1996.