NDC, NPP face sanctions over audited accounts

The National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party have failed to comply with a directive by the Electoral Commission to submit their audited accounts to it by the close May 31.

In accordance with the Political Parties Law, the Commission in last April issued a directive to all registered political parties in the country to submit their audited accounts by the end of May or face sanctions.

It also asked the parties that participated in the last three by-elections in the country to submit to it, their respective detailed expenditure on the elections.

Again, the Commission per section 15(1) of the law wants all political parties that have been issued with a final certificate of registration within the last 90 days to furnish it with details of its existence and location of its officers at the national, regional, district and constituency levels

“All registered political parties should ensure that the requested information is received by the Commission by the close of work on May 31, 2016, failing which sanctions will be applied in accordance with the law,” the statement warned.

However, checks by 3FM at the EC has revealed the two main political parties in the country have failed to comply with the directive.

Director of Finance at the Commission, Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, told host of 3FM's Late Edition, Alfred Ocansey, only seven of the 26 registered political parties have submitted their audited accounts.

“Out of 26 registered political parties, only seven had submitted their final account to the commission as at May 31," Mr. Asamoah told 3FM.

He mentioned the Progressive People’s Party, Convention People’s Party, National Democratic Party, Democratic People’s Party, United Front Party, Great Consolidated Popular Party and the Independent People’s Party as the parties that have complied with the directive.

Mr. Asamoah said the Commission will at the next IPAC meeting, decide on sanctions against the political parties that have failed to comply with the directive