As the Electoral Commission (EC) wrapped up the filing process for Ghana’s 2024 presidential election, concerns about the Commission’s intentions have emerged. Some have speculated that the EC may have an agenda to reduce the number of candidates, but Dr. Bossman Asare, a Deputy Commissioner, has firmly dispelled these rumours.
No Hidden Agenda
Addressing these concerns, Dr. Asare assured the public that the EC’s approach is transparent and unbiased. “We’ve been hearing people saying the Commission has an agenda to cut the number. There is no agenda like that,” Dr. Asare stated.
He emphasized that the Commission’s role is purely to ensure that all candidates meet the established requirements.
“The rules are there. Once you meet the requirement, you go through. The Commission doesn’t have an interest in intentionally reducing the number,” he added.
Dr. Asare stressed that the vetting process is based solely on adherence to legal and procedural standards. “Once you qualify, we go ahead and put you on the ballot.”
High number of Applicants
The 2024 election has seen an unprecedented number of candidates. On the final day of submissions, the EC received forms from additional hopefuls, bringing the total number of applicants to 22.
This high volume has only intensified scrutiny and speculation about the Commission’s handling of the process.