The Electoral Commission of Ghana has disqualified Joana Gyan Cudjoe, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Amenfi Central Constituency, from contesting the 2024 parliamentary elections.
This follows a court order issued in May 2024 by the Sekondi High Court, which placed an interlocutory injunction on her candidacy due to legal proceedings initiated by five applicants.
The decision by the Electoral Commission comes after a lawsuit filed by Gyedu Frimpong, Akubilla Daniel, Enock Ntiamoh, Isaac Twum, and Doris Aidoo against Joana Gyan Cudjoe, the NDC, and the EC.
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The plaintiffs alleged that Cudjoe forged both her voter ID and NDC party card, casting doubt on her legitimacy as the party’s candidate for Amenfi Central.
Despite efforts by Cudjoe to contest her disqualification, the court has not lifted or stayed its injunction, leading the EC to officially notify her of her disqualification through a letter dated October 10, 2024.
Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman of Operations at the EC, stated that the Commission is bound by the ongoing legal process and cannot recognize Cudjoe as a candidate until the case is fully resolved.
The case highlights the legal complexities surrounding the upcoming elections and the importance of upholding legal integrity in the political arena.
The NDC, which has also been restrained from recognizing Cudjoe as its candidate, now faces a critical decision on how to proceed with a new candidate for the Amenfi Central seat.
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