2012 elections: Two parties file nominations; filing closes tomorrow

Dr Afari Gyan hopes balloting would be done on Friday The Electoral Commission set October 17 and 18 for filing of nomination forms, but by the close of the first day, only two parties – New Patriotic Party and Progressive People’s Party – out of the 23 registered political parties, have successfully gone through the process.The exercise took place in Accra and other regions of the country.After receiving the forms for one of the presidential candidates, Ghana’s Electoral Commissioner, Dr Afari Gyan was convinced that balloting for positioning of all candidates for the December 2012 elections would be done on Friday, October 19, 2012.“Subject to agreement by the other candidates to be, when they hopefully become candidates we will do the balloting for the positions on Friday around 11am,” he told the media.Both presidential and parliamentary candidates are supposed to present their completed forms, banker’s drafts and tax clearance certificates before they will be endorsed by the EC.Meanwhile, Principal Public Relations Officer of the EC Sylvia Annor told Joy News Wednesday that there were “no hitches” when the two parties filed their forms today.“They were able to satisfy all the necessary requirements. They have therefore been given the green light to proceed with proper campaigning,” she said.For those who have not yet submitted their forms, Mrs Sylvia Annor warned that if they fail to do so by 5pm tomorrow, “that is the end of the road for you in 2012”.NPP running mate, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, General Secretary Kojo Owusu Afriyie and Chairman Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey presented documents on behalf of the party's presidential candidate Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey told the EC briefly: “We have all come in the name of the Lord.