The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has announced the suspension of printing ballot papers for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for December 7, 2024.
This decision was made following the sudden death of one of the presidential candidates, Madam Akua Donkor, the Founder and Presidential Candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP).
In a press release dated October 29, Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, conveyed the EC’s sympathies, saying, “The Electoral Commission has today received information on the unfortunate passing of the Presidential Candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Madam Akua Donkor.
May she rest in peace.” The statement also confirmed that the GFP has been formally notified and asked to begin the process of nominating a new candidate, which they must communicate to the EC once completed.
The EC explained that while the 1992 Constitution and the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127), do not specifically address the death of a presidential candidate after nominations have closed, Article 50(4) of the 1992 Constitution offers a directive.
It states, “Where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of ten days shall be allowed for nominations.”
With this constitutional guidance, the EC has provided the GFP with an opportunity to nominate a new candidate within this period, after which the ballot printing process will resume.
This development has introduced an unexpected turn to Ghana’s electoral process, as parties and candidates are given extra time for nominations to ensure a fair and complete electoral slate ahead of the December polls.
Story by : Mercy Addai Turkson
