Court fights good for December polls - Lecturer

The numerous court battles between the Electoral Commission and some political parties whose flag bearers were disqualified from contesting in this year’s presidential race, will engender transparency in the upcoming polls and also avert any possible post-election dispute, Dr Edward Brenya, a political science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has said.

EC Chair Charlotte Osei maintains that the December 7 polls will come off as planned despite the court cases.

The Supreme Court, will on Monday, 7 November make a definite ruling on a certiorari application filed by the EC in connection with a High Court ruling that quashed the disqualification of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP).

The ruling, Mrs Osei believes, will bring finality to all other court cases being filed at the lower courts by some of the disqualified flag bearers.

On Friday, 4 November, Mr Hassan Ayariga of the All People’s Party won a court victory similar to that of Dr Nduom’s.

The National Democratic Party (NDP), the People’s National Convention (PNC) and the Independent People’s Party (IPP) are also tussling with the commission in court over the disqualification of their flag bearers.

The National Peace Council and former Attorney General Martin Amidu have expressed concerns that the several court cases could delay the elections.

However, speaking to Emefa Apawu on Class91.3FM’s 505 programme on Friday, Dr Brenya said he “strongly” agrees with the EC boss that the polls will come off as planned. “I think if we look at the pace at which the courts are disposing off the cases, then we definitely could conclude that the electoral calendar will not be affected but I think all these cases are actually paving the way for a more transparent election because of the legal battles we’ve been having. I believe that all measures are being put in place to see that we don’t see a post-election petition or anything like what happened in 2012.”