EC : We Will Supervise NDC's Primaries After Withdrawal From Court Cases

EC announces it will oversee NDC's primaries following the withdrawal of court cases.

Following the withdrawal of two separate court injunction applications filed by Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Mr. Egdar Asare Boateng, the Electoral Commission (EC) has decided to supervise the presidential and parliamentary primaries of on Saturday, May 13.

The Chair of the Commission, Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, issued the following statement: "Following the withdrawal of the injunction application filed by Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Mr. Edgar Asamoah Boateng to restrain the EC from conducting the (NDC) primaries, all legal obstacles have been removed and the Commission is now free to supervise the Conduct of the NDC primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2023.

"This afternoon, the Commission met with the leadership of the NDC to finalize the procedures for conducting the elections.

Arrangements are being made to guarantee credible and open elections."

Prior to the EC's statement, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the national chairman of the party, indicated that the party expected the Commission to conduct the primaries now that the court issues had been resolved.

Mr. Asiedu Nketia stated that party executives met with EC officials and informed them that the court case had been resolved; consequently, they expect the elections management authority to be present and conduct the elections for them.

He explained that if anything could affect the polls, it would be the delivery of electoral materials to all voting centers. However, he stated that the party has made provisions to transport all materials in record time so that the election can proceed.

On Friday, May 12, he stated at a press conference in Accra, "We look forward to them fulfilling their obligation."

"But the election directorate of the party should be on standby," he added.

General Secretary of the NDC Fifi Kwetey stated that the party's Election Directorate would assume full control over the conduct of the primaries if the EC fails to appear.

He stated, "The NDC election directorate will assume full responsibility for the elections if the EC fails to appear."

He emphasized, "If the EC is unable to be present for the conduct of this primary, we will ensure that the election directorate is in charge."

Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, a presidential candidate, filed an injunction with the High Court, preventing the EC from supervising the elections until the outcome of his case.

The EC stated that it did not wish to be in contempt of court, hence the decision to cancel the elections.

The EC made this announcement on Wednesday, May 10, after meeting with representatives of all three NDC presidential candidates.

"However, yesterday we were served with an Application for Interlocutory Injunction seeking to enjoin the Commission from supervising the conduct of the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries due to alleged irregularities in the voter registration list.

"Gentlemen, in order to avoid being cited for contempt, the Commission has decided not to supervise the conduct of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections until the court has ruled on the case," stated Madam Jean Mensa, chairperson of the Commission.