The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has halted printing ballot papers for the presidential election scheduled for December 7, 2024.
This decision comes after the passing of one of the candidates, Madam Akua Donkor, the Founder of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP).
A press release by the Commission dated October 29 and signed by the Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, announced the suspension of printing the ballots for the upcoming elections.
“The Electoral Commission has today received information on the unfortunate passing of the Presidential Candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Madam Akua Donkor. May she rest in peace…The Commission has since informed the GFP to make arrangements to nominate a new Candidate and inform the Commission accordingly. In the meantime, the Commission has suspended the printing of Presidential Ballot Papers which was near completion,” Mr Tettey wrote.
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“While the 1992 Constitution and the Public Elections Regulations, 2020, C.I. 127, are not clear on processes to follow in the event of the death of a Presidential Candidate, Article 50 (4) of the 1992 Constitution provides as follows; “where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of the ten days shall be allowed for nominations…” hence the decision to get the GFP to nominate a fresh presidential candidate,” the EC stated.
The presidential candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Akua Donkor breathes her last on Monday, October 28 at the Ridge Hospital in Accra reportedly due to respiratory challenges.
