The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has disqualified Philip Appiah Kubi, the Ghana Freedom Party’s (GFP) replacement flagbearer, citing errors and legal violations on his nomination form.
EC Chair Jean Mensa announced the disqualification at a press conference on Tuesday, November 12. Despite providing the GFP an opportunity to correct discrepancies, Mensa explained that certain irregularities remained, ultimately leading to the decision to disqualify Kubi from the upcoming election.
The GFP had initially been thrown into uncertainty after the passing of its founder and original flagbearer, Akua Donkor, on October 15. Her sudden death left the party in need of a new candidate for the December 2024 presidential election. The EC allowed the GFP a 10-day extension to nominate a new flagbearer, resulting in Kubi’s selection.
However, upon reviewing Kubi’s nomination, the EC found issues that extended beyond minor errors. While some discrepancies were corrected by the party, others were deemed “illegitimate” and in violation of electoral laws, explained Mensa.
She emphasized that the EC’s responsibility to ensure the integrity of the electoral process requires adherence to strict guidelines, making it impossible to overlook any irregularities, regardless of the party’s corrective efforts.