IPP's writ of mandamus against EC dismissed

An Accra Fast Track High Court on Tuesday dismissed a writ of mandamus filed by the Independent People's Party (IPP) praying it to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to accept the party's presidential candidate's nomination form for the December 7, polls. The court presided over by Mr Justice U. P. Dery noted that any delay against the EC would be detrimental to the whole nation.  It said the EC under the law had the mandate to regulate electoral activities as such published on October 17 and 18 as date for parties to submit their nomination forms. The court said the IPP did not meet the deadline adding that a look at the form showed that the party did not provide the name of their vice president. According to the court, the EC noticed that in some instances two signatories had the same identity card numbers while other identity card numbers did not exist. It said even though the EC did not give the IPP time to correct or amend their nomination forms, the anomalies on the forms were huge hence the commission rejected it. The court however did not award any cost. Mr Kofi Appaloo, the IPP presidential aspirant, said he was not going to appeal against the court's decision. The EC in October rejected the presidential nomination form and the party filed a writ of mandamus praying the court to compel the EC to accept the party's nomination form so it could contest in the December 7, polls. The IPP noted that the acceptance of the nomination forms would enable the party's Flag bearer, Mr Appaloo to take part in the December 7 Presidential Election. According to the IPP the EC acted arbitrary when it failed to accept the Flag bearer's nomination form adding that conduct amounted to public neglect.

GNA