Politics

APP candidate drags EC to Court over disqualification in Akwatia by-Election

APP candidate drags EC to Court Akwatia by-Election

The Parliamentary Candidate of the Action People’s Party (APP), David Ankomah, has taken legal action against the Electoral Commission (EC) after being disqualified from contesting in the upcoming Akwatia by-election.

Mr Ankomah was removed from the race by the Commission on the grounds that he failed to submit a valid tax clearance certificate before the close of nominations.

In a writ filed at the High Court, the APP candidate is challenging the decision and seeking an order to suspend the by-election until the case is determined. He insists that the EC acted unfairly and unlawfully, depriving him of his right to participate in the contest.

According to him, the Commission gave him unreasonably short notice to provide the tax clearance certificate, which is issued at the discretion of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). He claims that rather than informing him directly, the EC only notified the Akwatia District Electoral Officer around 5 PM on August 17, 2025, demanding the document by the following day.

Mr Ankomah argues that by the time the request was made, he had already completed all nomination procedures, including participating in the balloting process for his position on the ballot paper.

He and the APP further allege that the decision to disqualify him was influenced by malice and fraud, describing it as a deliberate attempt to unlawfully exclude him from the race and undermine his chances.

Despite these concerns, the Electoral Commission has maintained its decision, setting the stage for a legal battle that could potentially affect the by-election timeline.

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The Electoral Commission announced Tuesday, September 2, 2025, as the date for the by-election in the Akwatia Constituency of the Eastern Region. The election was necessitated by the passing of the sitting Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi, creating a hotly contested race to fill the vacant seat.