PNC appeals to EC to reconsider Bernard Mornah’s disqualification citing human errors

The People’s National Convention (PNC) has appealed to the Electoral Commission to reconsider the disqualification of Bernard Mornah as a presidential candidate, citing an admission of human errors and omissions by the EC in the case of the provisional voters register (PVR).

Already, the flag bearer of the PNC, Bernard Mornah, has sued the EC for disqualifying him from the 2024 presidential election.

In an application filed at the Accra High Court on September 24, 2024, Mr Mornah is seeking, among other reliefs, an order restraining the EC from embarking on any activity relating to the Presidential election until he is declared as “duly nominated candidate and allowed to contest the elections.”

However, speaking at an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Tuesday, [October 1st 2024], the National Chairman of the PNC, Samson Asaki Awingobit, urged the EC to reconsider its decision, citing the Commission’s admission that human errors are inevitable in managing elections.

The EC had previously acknowledged that some of the errors raised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were due to the human factor.

Mr Awingobit argued that if the EC accepts that errors are part of the process, then the PNC’s disqualification should be reconsidered under the same understanding.

He called for fairness and reinstatement of the party’s candidate for the upcoming 2024 elections.

“We commend the EC for admitting their mistakes and striving to improve, but fairness means that our disqualification, based on errors, should also be re-examined. Since errors are inevitable, we deserve the opportunity to participate in the election,” Awingobit said.

In the lawsuit, Mr Mornah is also seeking an order of certiorari to nullify the EC’s decision to disqualify him, as well as a mandamus order to compel the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, to declare him eligible to run in the election.

However, Awingobit in his appeal to the EC reiterated the PNC’s commitment to a credible election process and insisted that fairness requires the reconsideration of the party’s disqualification. “We appreciate the engagement, but if errors are inevitable, it’s only fair we’re given another chance,” he said.

The IPAC meeting, televised live for the first time to promote transparency, included discussions on the electoral concerns raised by political parties.

The meeting centered on ensuring free and fair elections in 2024, with stakeholders from various political parties, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC, discussing improvements in the electoral process.