Bernard Mornah, the flagbearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC), has taken the Electoral Commission (EC) to court over his disqualification from the upcoming December presidential election. Mornah was one of 11 presidential aspirants disqualified from contesting in the December 7, 2024, elections due to errors on their nomination forms.

According to EC Chairperson Jean Mensa, Mornah’s nomination forms had incomplete supporter details, and he used registered voters from one district to support nominations in other districts, violating electoral rules. However, Mornah claims his disqualification was unlawful, violated his rights, and didn’t follow due process.

Mornah is seeking a court order to reinstate him as a presidential candidate in the 2024 elections. Specifically, he wants:

– Declaration of Unlawful Disqualification: A declaration that the EC’s decision to disqualify him was unlawful and violated his rights.
– Reinstatement: An order compelling the EC to declare him duly nominated to contest the 2024 presidential elections.
– Injunction: An order restraining the EC from printing presidential ballot papers or proceeding with the December 7, 2024, Presidential Elections until he is allowed to contest.

Mornah’s lawyer, Professor Raymond Atuguba, argues that the EC acted illegally, breached natural justice rules, and committed procedural impropriety in disqualifying Mornah. The EC failed to give Mornah a hearing or an opportunity to remedy the alleged mistakes leading to his disqualification, which is against due process and his fundamental human rights.

This case highlights the tensions surrounding Ghana’s electoral process and the importance of ensuring fairness and transparency in the democratic process.