The Electoral Commission (EC) has once again reiterated its strong commitment to sanction moribund political parties that are sitting on the commission’s register.
It warned that political parties without full operation will face sanctions under the Political Parties’ Law 2000, Act 574.
The warning was given by the Deputy Chairman of the EC, Mr Amadu Sulley, when he presented a provisional certificate to the All People’s Congress (APC), a newly formed political party in the country. The certificate gives the APC the opportunity to organise itself properly while the EC fully investigates thoroughly all the information the APC has provided the EC before a final licence or certificate is granted.
By the end of a 30-day period, the EC would have been able to vet all the information the APC has supplied it, and could either grant the licence or refuse it as a registered political party.
The colours of the party are green, white and yellow with the broom as its symbol and its motto is “All Inclusive Governance”.
Political parties law
According to the law, political parties, among other requirements, are expected to be active and have offices in two-thirds of the constituencies across the country.
Currently, the EC has 24 registered political parties in the country. If the APC, founded on the vision and leadership of Dr Hassan Ayariga with an ideology as a social democrat and a focus on liberal socialism, satisfies the EC’s requirements, it will become the 25th registered political party in the country.
But what the EC is doing to inject sanity into the operations of political parties, as well as ensure that political parties function within the political parties Law 2000 (Act 574), has been trending for some time now and political watchers are keenly expectant of what the EC will do to ensure and enhance good governance in the country.
Operate within the law
Mr Sulley advised the leaders of the APC to operate within the ambit of the law, noting that the provisional certificate did not allow them to go about canvassing for votes.
He stated that the law was clear on the provisional certificate which barred it from calling itself a full political party.
That notwithstanding, the deputy chair commended the leadership of APC for its organisation and appealed to it to continue to conduct their affairs in a peaceful manner even after the full licence was granted.
“As a party, it is important that you get the right people to come on board to help in your activities,” he advised.
Welcoming decision
Mr Ayariga promised to abide by the relevant laws, and would not do anything that would mar the fortunes of the party.
He was also grateful to the EC for the provisional certificate.
Mr Ayariga stated that he was confident the EC would not have peculiar challenges with the information it provided, and would soon grant it the full licence.
“We are confident that a meticulous job was done in compiling our data in fulfilment of the provisions of the EC, and we’re sure to receive our certificate to operate as a fully fledged political party soon,” he said.
According to him, when given the final certificate and chance to rule the nation, he and his able team had the potential to turn things around in Ghana.
He noted that the APC believed in the prosperity and progress of Ghana, and was prepared to make things better for the people.
Mr Ayariga said the party currently had 170 district offices, 10 regional offices and a national office.
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