Ahead of the 2024 general elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has revoked the registration certificates of 17 political parties in Ghana for not satisfying the legal requirements in operating a political party in the country, Purefmonline.com reports.
The affected parties include that of the vociferous Akwasi Addai Odike’s United Progressive Party (UPP). The rest are the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), United Front Party (UFP), United Development System Party (UDSP), Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE), Yes People’s Party (YPP), United Ghana Movement (UGM), Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), New Vision Party (NVP), Ghana Democratic Republican Party (GDRP) and a host of others.
According to the EC’s Director of Electoral Services, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the political parties failed to own and operate offices in the various districts as demanded by the law, hence the revocation of their operating licenses.
Dr. Serebour Quaicoe explained to Purefmonline.com that ample time were given to the affected parties to rectify the anomaly and reminders were published in the dailies for them to comply with the law.
“These parties were not complying with the law of operating offices in the various Districts. Also, some of the parties cannot be found nor traced.
When we went to the field, there were some that had already started complying and others that were not complying at all. They were 28 in total. We gave them notices and two weeks window for them to rectify the anomaly but these affected parties failed to comply with the law.”
“The law says political parties must operate physical offices only.” Dr. Serebour Quaicoe told Purefmonline.com.
However, the leader of People’s Action Party, Kwesi Busmubru has described the move by the EC as backwards and archaic.
He says with the advent of technology, he conducts his activities and meetings via zoom and so the operation of a physical office should not be a barrier to revoke his party’s registration certificate.
“I am so pissed right now. The credibility of the EC is zero.
With this day and age, why do I need to operate a physical office when I can conduct my duties via zoom. We are all struggling so the physical space shouldn’t be a prerequisite. The law must be repealed. It is archaic and backward.” Mr. Busmubru stated when reached.
Meanwhile, the office of Odike’s United Progressive Party (UPP) has denied receiving a communique from the EC informing them of the revocation of their certificates of operation.