Election 2024: 22 out of 33 presidential aspirants successfully file to contest slot

The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially concluded the filing process for presidential aspirants, which ran from September 9 to September 13.

Out of the 33 hopeful candidates, only 22 successfully submitted their documents, with the final day of filing marked by unexpected tension.

On the first day, September 9, eight candidates filed their nominations. The New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was the first to file, urging the EC to ensure a credible election process.

The National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) John Dramani Mahama also submitted his forms on the same day, although it was done by party Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia due to Mahama’s ongoing campaign tour. Nketia took the opportunity to express concerns about the integrity of the voters’ register.

Other early submissions came from Kofi Akpaloo of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Hasan Ayariga of the All People’s Congress (APC), and independent candidate Nana Kwame Bediako, who notably had not yet chosen a running mate.

On September 11, independent candidate Alan Kyerematen filed his papers, confidently asserting that Ghana’s youth are ready to manage the country’s future. Other candidates, including Alhaji Mohammed Frimpong of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and independent hopeful Kofi Koranteng, who called for strong leadership, also filed their nominations that day.

September 12 saw independent candidate Janet Nabla complete her submission while criticizing the complexity of the nomination process and advocating for more digitalization. Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) and Nana Frimpongmaa Sarpong Kumankumaa of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) rounded out that day’s aspirants.

The final day, September 13, was packed with activity and last-minute drama. Bernard Mornah of the People’s National Convention (PNC) was the first to file on Friday, amid a legal dispute within his party involving defeated former flagbearer David Apasara. Candidates such as Dr. Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr. of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), along with independent candidates Nana Stephens, Desmond Abrefa, Dr. Elder Paul Perko, James Kwesi Oppong, Dr. John Kpikpi, and Dr. Sam Ankrah, also submitted their papers before the deadline.

However, tension brewed when the Progressive People’s Party and independent candidate Dr. Amu Darko attempted to file their nominations after the EC had officially closed the process. Their late submissions were ultimately rejected.

By the end of the day, 22 out of 33 candidates had successfully filed their nominations, capping off a filing process filled with ambition, controversy, and a race against the clock.

 

The post Election 2024: 22 out of 33 presidential aspirants successfully file to contest slot first appeared on 3News.

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