Source:Onuaonline.com
Bernard Anbataayela Mornah, the flag bearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC) who was disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) from the 2024 presidential race was an act of discrimination.
These, are the words of the flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.
According to the former President, there are many people on the ballot paper whom Mr. Monarh is more qualified than. But, due to discrimination, the EC chose to disqualify Mr. Monarh and rather included some people who are less worth it.
Speaking Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Nabullo in the Sisssala East constituency, the NDC flag bearer described the exclusion of the PNC in this year’s election as unfortunate.
“There are 13 people who were qualified to be on the ballot paper. Unfortunately, our brothers in the PNC were wrongfully disqualified. I cannot understand why the PNC were not allowed to be on this paper. The PNC is a more worthy party than several parties that I see here on the ballot paper.
“But that’s the issue we have with the Electoral Commission. Sometimes they are discriminatory because there are some people on this ballot paper who Bernard Monarh qualifies more to be here than those people and I know it will provoke controversy but I mean it,” he said without mincing words.
Bernard Mornah was disqualified by the EC with some others and has since accused the EC of disqualifying him wrongfully.
He said the EC did not provide the reasons for his disqualification, accusing the Commission of being biased in the processes.
He called on the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheikh Osman Nuhu Shaributu, during a courtesy visit that the posturing of the Electoral Commission has the tendency of plunging the country into chaos.
Mr. Monarh visited the Chief Imam with some of his national and regional executives and informed him about the “injustice” the Electoral Commission has perpetrated against their party.
“Coming here, we want to draw the Electoral Commission’s attention to a looming danger. While the PNC will not do anything violent, certain attitudes by the Electoral Commission have every potential to plunge this country into a state of calamity,” he told the Chief Imam.
He continued that, “Chief Imam would have been aware that in order for one to become the leader of a political party, he must transport himself to the sixteen regions of the country. Apart from the resources; cash, it has to take the prayers of the Chief Imam and others to save us from disasters on our roads. When a political party chooses one as its leader, it is not an ordinary feat.”
“The party accepted that we have met every constitutional requirement of Article 42, Article 62 of the constitution then it takes the Electoral Commission just by a word of mouth to say that you are disqualified from the contest. Such violence on the PNC can translate into violence of our nation. We have heeded to the call of the Chief Imam not to disturb the peace of our nation. The Chief Imam must also speak to this institution to ensure that we all protect the peace of this nation,” Mr Mornah pleaded.
For the first time since 1992, the PNC has been disqualified from partaking in the national elections. The flag bearer, Bernard Mornah was in court to order the Commission to reinstate him in the presidential race.
But the EC says he was justly taken out of the race.
Source: www.onuaonline.com
