In the Kumawu By-Election in the Ashanti Region, the Electoral Commission (EC) has given an explanation of why it selected a symbol [logo] for one of the two independent candidates.
According to the Commission, it did not allow the notice of election in which the two independent candidates shared the same name, appearance, and election-related emblem [bird].
The Commission claims that the two independent candidates with the same name, Kwaku Duah, provided the Commission's district officer in Kumawu with pictures of themselves in Kente and a picture of a bird as their emblem.
"Based on this, a draft notice of poll was made and presented to the Commission for approval, displaying a photograph of the independent candidates who had the same names, dress, and emblems.
"It was not gazetted nor authorized by the Commission. Only after a Notice of Poll is gazetted does it acquire legal and binding status. The copy that's going around on social media wasn't actually gazetted. In a statement dated May 21, 2023, EC stated that "it was only a draft reflecting the images and symbols given to the District Officer.
The EC added, "When this anomaly came to the attention of the Commission, the second independent candidate was advised to change his symbol since he was the last to submit his nomination form."
The second independent candidate was urged to replace his emblem, but he refused, according to the EC, which forced the EC to utilize Regulations 14(1)(b) and (c) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020, C.I. 127.
It permits the EC to select a candidate's emblem at its own discretion in such circumstances.
By-election in Kumawu
The Kumawu by-election is being held in response to the passing of Philip Basoah, the district's Member of Parliament (MP) for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
At the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he had been admitted with a critical illness, Mr. Basoah passed away on Monday, March 27.
He had 54 years on him.
Following Mr. Basoah's passing, the EC requested that anybody interested in running for the seat download nomination forms from the EC's website between April 14, 2023, and May 5, 2023. The statement was issued on Monday, April 17, 2023, and was signed by the EC's Chairperson, Jean Mensa.
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