EC v Parties: NPC must speak now - Mike Oquaye

Former Deputy Speaker of parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, has called on the National Peace Council to speak out on the myriad of issues happening between the Electoral Commission and some disqualified flag bearers of political parties as the country inches closer to the December 7 elections.

With about a month to the elections, some disqualified presidential aspirants have dragged the EC to court challenging their disqualification.

The EC has, however, said it will only allow those nominees onto the ballot paper on the orders of a court. On Monday October 31, the election management body filed an appeal against a High Court ruling that ordered it to allow the Progressive People’s Party’s flag bearer, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, to correct certain mistakes he made on his nomination form for which reason he was disqualified from the race.

Reacting to the brouhaha between the commission and the aggrieved political parties in an interview with Class News on Tuesday November 1, Prof Oquaye wondered why the National Peace Council has been silent.

“I will like to take this opportunity to tell the National Peace Council that this is the time that you must act and you better act quickly. … They must advise people, they must be able to give us forewarning, they must be able to analyse what is happening and advise appropriate bodies. Their voices must be heard in public on some of these things…” he said.

Meanwhile, the courts have adjourned to Friday November 4, three suits filed separately by three flag bearers of the National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Convention (PNC) and All People’s Congress (APC), respectively, challenging their disqualification.