KEY POINTS
- Bernard Mornah challenges his disqualification from Election 2024.
- The court will rule on October 21, just before ballot printing.
- Mornah’s legal team argues for fairness in the electoral process.
Bernard Mornah, the disqualified presidential aspirant from the People’s National Convention (PNC), is set to hear the court’s ruling on October 21 regarding his challenge against the Electoral Commission (EC). Mornah’s legal team is pushing to halt the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming election until the court decides on his disqualification.
Legal challenge against disqualification
Mornah’s lawyer, Harold Atuguba, has called for the EC to pause its plans for printing the notice of poll and ballot papers until the ruling is delivered. In a recent television interview, Atuguba stressed the importance of waiting for the court’s decision before moving forward with the electoral process.
“We have asked the court to advise the EC to hold off on printing ballot papers until the ruling on Monday,” Atuguba said. Mornah’s disqualification is one of several that the EC imposed on candidates, citing issues such as incomplete forms, errors, and the use of voters from one district to represent another.
Focus on fairness in the electoral process
Mornah’s legal challenge centers on fairness in the electoral process. Atuguba has argued that the EC must comply with constitutional requirements to act fairly and reasonably when making decisions of such importance.
Specifically, the legal team has referred to Articles 23 and 296, which govern the actions of administrative bodies in Ghana.
“Our complaint is simple: the EC must follow the law and ensure fairness in the electoral process,” Atuguba emphasized. The legal battle goes beyond Mornah’s candidacy, raising broader questions about how the EC handles disqualifications and its role in ensuring transparency.
The EC, meanwhile, has defended its decision, stating that while it pointed out errors to some candidates, other issues, such as forgery, were not communicated because they fell under potentially criminal conduct.
According to Graphic Online, the commission has argued that Mornah’s disqualification is justified based on these concerns.
Anticipating the court’s ruling
The court is set to rule on October 21, and Mornah’s team is optimistic that the decision will reverse his disqualification.
Atuguba also pointed out that in past elections, candidates had been allowed to correct errors on their forms and urged the court to offer Mornah the same opportunity.
“We are confident that the ruling will ensure Bernard Mornah’s inclusion on the presidential ballot,” Atuguba said.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Ghana’s Election 2024, with many watching closely to see how the court rules on Mornah’s challenge. If the ruling is in his favor, it could set a precedent for future electoral disqualification disputes.
