Dr Mahama fails to meet nomination requirements

Accra, Oct. 21, GNA - The Grand Coalition on Thursday failed to complete the process of filling nominations to contest the December 7, presidential election.

Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the EC, who was the Returning Officer for the presidential nominations, however, allowed Dr Edward Mahama, presidential nominee of the Coalition to complete the process by 1700 hours on Monday October 25.

The Grand Coalition is made up of the People's National Convention (PNC), Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE) and the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP)

Dr Mahama, leader of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), who is the presidential candidate of the Coalition failed to provide full details required for presidential nominations including particulars of two registered voters resident in each of the 138 districts in the country, a statutory declaration and an assets declaration. Dr Afari-Gyan said: "Provisionally we are accepting your nomination document ...you have up to close of day Monday, 25th October to remedy the defect including statement from the Internal Revenue Service regarding payment of taxes."

Dr Mahama and Mr Danny Ofori Atta Chairman of the EGLE Party and his running mate for the Coalition entered the EC Conference Hall at 1630 hours.

The Great Coalition candidate was the last of four candidates expected to file their nominations to contest the elections by 1700 hours on Thursday, the final day for nominations. Other candidates were: Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), President John Agyekum Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Mr George Aguddey of the Convention People's Party (CPP).

The presidential nomination papers are to be filed at the EC Headquarters, while parliamentary nomination papers are to be submitted to the Commission in the districts.

Dr Mahama commended the Electoral Commission (EC) for conduct of Elections 2000.

He said: "The professionalism exhibited by the EC before, during and after Elections 2000 needs commendation by all Ghanaians and we hope you will conduct Elections 2004 in the same manner."

Dr Mahama said the Coalition would conduct Elections 2004 based on issues and would not castigate opponents, "we will address the concerns of our people.

"We also expect the media to direct voters attention to issues in the manifestoes of the political parties," he added.

In another development, Mr T. N. Ward-Brew, an aspiring presidential candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party, was not allowed to file his nomination papers because he got to the EC office late.