Notice of Poll for Kumawu By election
The Electoral Commission of Ghana, renowned for its commitment to transparency, fairness, and integrity, has released a press statement today addressing a Notice of Poll circulating on social media purportedly for the upcoming Kumawu By-Election. The Commission clarified the origin and status of the notice, emphasizing its dedication to upholding regulations and preserving its esteemed reputation.
According to the Electoral Commission, the Notice of Poll displayed the photos of two Independent Candidates dressed in kente cloth, with a bird symbol representing both individuals. It was revealed that these candidates had submitted photographs of themselves in kente attire and a bird symbol to the District Officer in Kumawu. A draft Notice of Poll, featuring the same names, attires, and symbols, was subsequently prepared and submitted to the Commission for approval. However, it was neither authorized by the Commission nor officially gazetted.
To clarify the situation, the Commission stated that the circulating version of the Notice of Poll was merely a draft reflecting the photographs and symbols presented to the District Officer. As per the established legal procedure, a Notice of Poll gains validity and enforceability only after being gazetted. As the anomaly came to the Commission’s attention, the second Independent Candidate was advised to change his symbol due to being the last to submit his Nomination Form. However, he declined to comply, prompting the Commission to invoke Regulation 14(1) (b) and (c) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020, C.I. 127.
Regulation 14(1) (b) and (c) states that the Commission shall allocate a symbol, color, or combination of colors chosen by a candidate not sponsored by a registered political party or, in any other case, allocate an appropriate symbol, color, or combination of colors as deemed suitable by the Commission. Consequently, the Commission assigned the second Independent Candidate the symbol of a hoe, which is now reflected in the Notice of Poll displayed throughout Kumawu.
The Electoral Commission reassured the public that it remains steadfast in its commitment to preventing actions that deviate from its regulations and have the potential to undermine its hard-earned reputation and integrity. Guided by its motto of “Integrity, Fairness, and Transparency,” the Commission pledged to continue upholding these principles, with a firm belief in divine assistance.
The approved and gazetted Notice of Poll for the Kumawu By-Election, validated by the Electoral Commission, was attached to the press release for public reference.
For further information, please contact the Public Affairs Department of the Electoral Commission.
PRESS RELEASE
ELECTORAL COMMISSION GHANA 21 May, 2023* NOTICE OF POLL FOR THE KUMAWU BY-ELECTION
The attention of the Electoral Commission has been drawn to a Notice of Poll circulating on social media purporting to be that of the Kumawu By-Election. The Notice of Poll has the photos of two Independent Candidates, wearing kente cloth. The said Candidates have the symbol of a bird.
For the information of the Public, both Independent Candidates presented photographs of themselves in kente and a picture of a bird as their symbol to our District Officer in Kumawu.
Based on this, a draft Notice of Poll, bearing the photograph of the Independent Candidates with similar names, attires, and symbols was prepared and submitted to the Commission for approval.
It was neither approved by the Commission nor gazetted. A Notice of Poll becomes legal and binding only after it is gazetted. The version circulating on social media was never gazetted. It was a mere draft reflecting the photographs and symbols presented to the District Officer.
When this anomaly came to the notice of the Commission, the second Independent Candidate was advised to change his symbol since he was the last to submit his Nomination Form. He refused to do so causing the Commission to apply Regulation 14(1) (b) and (c) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020, C.I. 127 which states as follows:
14 (1) “Where an election is contested, the Commission shall, as soon as practicable after the nomination day; (b) allocate to a candidate who is not sponsored by a registered political party a symbol, colour or combination of colours chosen by that candidate; or (c) allocate a symbol, colour or combination of colours that the Commission considers appropriate in any other case”.
The Commission has assigned him the symbol of a hoe which is reflected in the Notice of Poll posted throughout Kumawu.
We assure the Public that the Commission will not tolerate acts that are at variance with its regulations and which have the potential of undermining its hard earned reputation and integrity.
It is a well-known fact that as a Commission we have always operated and lived by our motto:
Integrity, Fairness and Transparency. We will continue to do so, GOD being our helper.
The approved and gazetted Notice of Poll for the Kumawu By-Election is attached.
# RE PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
