Hassan Ayariga, Founder of All People’s Congress (APC) is alleging the Electoral Commission of Ghana is using the Commission as a business company to their own benefit by making money out of Ghana Democracy which is their appointed mandate to protect.
His rebuttal has been the results of the EC announcing the filling fees for political parties who wish to contest in the 2020 general elections on Monday 14 September, 2020. The EC headed by Madam Jane Adukwie Mensa as the Chair of the Commission placed presidential filling Fees at GHC 100,000 and that of Parlimentatry filling fees at GHC10000.
Mr. Hassan Ayariga says he think the EC is making money of Ghana’s democracy which they have been places as the primary custodians, and instead of protecting it, they are running it as their business compary, hence his accusations.
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He said ““For me, I think that democracy now is for sale and not about competency anymore. It’s about those who have money and can afford and mount a campaign or contest a presidential election”. Dr. Hassan Ayariga told TV3 in an interview”
The Electoral Commissions has announced that filling of nomination forms for both presidential and parliamentary can be accessed on the EC official website from Monday 5 October, 2020 and ends to Friday 9 October, 2020. The EC also added that, it has make provisions for applicants to have unique password to access the forms.
However, Mr. Hassan Ayariga says he can’t believe the EC thought through the given period for filling for the nomination and the cost involved, that the commission is expecting all candidates to raise such amount of money withing a within 5 days.
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“It’s hard for me to believe the reason why there has been an increase of 100% of the filing fees of Presidential candidate without consultation with IPAC or the advisory Committee of the EC. This Institution has demonstrated to us that it’s a weak institution” H said.
