Philip Appiah Kubi Disqualified by EC Due to Errors in Nomination Documents

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has disqualified Philip Appiah Kubi, the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) flagbearer candidate, following the discovery of errors and alleged irregularities in his nomination documents.

EC Chair Jean Mensa made the announcement during a press conference on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, explaining that the decision was the result of a thorough review of the party’s submission.

While acknowledging that the GFP was given an opportunity to rectify issues in their documentation, Jean Mensa emphasized that some discrepancies were too significant to overlook.

“Despite the efforts by the GFP to address some of the discrepancies, certain elements of Mr. Kubi’s documentation were found to be illegitimate under Ghana’s electoral laws,” she stated, revealing that these irregularities ultimately led to the disqualification.

This decision comes at a difficult time for the GFP, which is still reeling from the sudden death of its founder and initial flagbearer, Akua Donkor, on October 15. The passing of Donkor forced the party to select a new candidate, with the EC granting the GFP a 10-day extension to nominate a replacement. Philip Appiah Kubi was then chosen as the new flagbearer. However, upon reviewing his documents, the EC identified several serious issues that extended beyond simple clerical errors.

Mensa underscored the EC’s responsibility to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, making it clear that the Commission could not accept documents that did not meet the legal requirements, regardless of the party’s attempts to amend them. “The EC is bound by its duty to ensure electoral integrity,” she said. “We cannot allow documents with substantial legal issues to be accepted.”

The disqualification of Kubi now leaves the GFP in a challenging position, with the party needing to quickly find a solution before the upcoming election. Jean Mensa reiterated that the EC remains committed to ensuring a transparent and lawful electoral process, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the law to maintain public trust in the system.

This latest setback adds further complexity to the GFP’s campaign as the political party continues to navigate the challenges posed by the loss of its leader and the complications in meeting electoral requirements. The EC’s decision reinforces the need for political parties to comply fully with electoral regulations, particularly as the country approaches a critical election season.