Dr. Samuel Sarpong Ankrah, leader of the Alternative Force for Action (AFA), is demanding an audit of the forms of all 13 qualified presidential candidates for the upcoming December 7th elections, accusing the Electoral Commission (EC) of engaging in selective discrimination.
Speaking in interview with Joynews on Monday, he added that his disqualification was a result of bias, as efforts to engage the EC on the issue have proven futile.
“Can the EC at any point disqualify Bawumia or Mahama because of such an infraction?” he questioned, adding, “We should not underestimate, disrespect, or discriminate against anybody. The law has to apply to everybody.”
Dr. Ankrah emphasized that the EC’s decision-making process appeared predetermined, citing the criteria used against him as unprecedented.
“It’s quite surprising that is the reason to disqualify me. There was no mention at all in any communication until the press conference by the EC Chair that we had used individuals from one district to support others,” he lamented.
He stated that the EC failed to communicate the reasons in writing and has yet to respond to his formal inquiries. “In as much as certain people think they have the ability to decide who should be on the ballot, it is a major problem for our democracy.”
The disqualified candidate also hinted that powerful political forces were behind the move to sideline his candidacy, which he claims was gaining momentum among the middle class, students, and the educated.
“The impact that Sam Ankrah was bringing to this election was quite huge, and certain people feel threatened,” he argued, asserting that his rising influence posed a perceived threat to established political players.
“We will go to court, and this is all part of deepening our democracy.”
The EC, however, maintains that the disqualification of Dr. Ankrah, along with 11 other candidates including Janet Nabla of the People’s National Party (PNP) and Bernard Mornah of the People’s National Convention (PNC), was due to errors on their nomination forms.
While the Commission has assured the refund of nomination fees to those disqualified, several affected candidates are also seeking legal action, questioning the fairness of the EC’s vetting process.
