We shall contest the presidential election - PPP

The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) says it is contesting the 20165 presidential election despite being disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) after failing to meet the requirements.

The party is currently challenging the disqualification at the Accra High Court demanding for the reversal of the decision by the EC.

In a suit filed on Friday the PPP stated emphatically that the Electoral Commission did not only breach the rules of natural justice in its disqualification of Dr Nduom but also failed to act in accordance with due process of law.

One of Dr Nduom's subscribers, Richard Aseda, was accused of flouting sections of CI 94 by endorsing the PPP flagbearer twice - the Central Region and Volta Regions - with different signatures.

Although the court is yet to determine the matter, the vice presidential candidate of the party has expressed strong optimism that the party will be on the ballot paper and contest the presidential election.

Addressing the press on what the party refers to as misrepresentations relating to the refusal of the EC to accept nomination papers of Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, Madam Brigitte Dzorgbenuku said the party will contest the election ‘by hook or crook’.

"Contrary to the ECs error of judgment which we are contesting in court, we wish to state categorically that the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) shall contest the 2016 elections. We are convinced at this point that these despicable maneuverings are orchestrated by our opponents, who are uncomfortable with the growth of the party. The inroads we have made, the support the party is gaining, the deep positive impacts on the lives of many Ghanaians in all districts in Ghana undoubtedly see an obvious PPP-led victory in the coming 2016 elections."

She further accused the EC of choosing and picking parties to correct anomalies detected on their forms but failed to same for PPP.

The Electoral Commission through a programme dubbed “Ask the EC” hosted by one Samson Ayenini which was transmitted on GTV and their media outlets stated among others that candidates were given the opportunity to correct anomalies on the form. The PPP and its flag bearer, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, however, was not given that opportunity.

"This should inform Ghanaians that there were mistakes on everybody’s form. It will therefore be unfair to judge the competence, commitment and dedication of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom on an error on his nomination form. We wish to reiterate that Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom’s competence, commitment, and dedication cannot be overemphasized."

Madam Brigitte Dzorgbenuku described the disqualification Dr. Nduom as propaganda and child’s play.

"We are the least surprised about the misrepresentations out there that the PPP cannot complete a nomination form. And strangely, very strangely that Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom cannot complete a form? This misinformation my brothers and sisters is child’s play at its best,’’ adding that, ‘’the PPP is united, disciplined and focused on selling our good message to Ghanaians. We have the best policy priorities to present to the voters. We have assembled the best men and women who will give the best leadership to Ghanaians from January 2017. We are the party committed to changing the 1992 constitution to empower the people to elect their own DCEs, separate the executive from the legislature and separate the office of Attorney General from that of the Ministry of Justice. We are the political party focusing on job creation, and determined to make Ghanaian state institutions use the government’s purchasing power to buy from local businesses."