EC has not rejected NDP colours - Parry

Interim NDP Chair, Dr Josiah Aryee

THE Electoral Commission (EC) has denied media reports that it has rejected the colours submitted by the National Democratic Party (NDP) for registration as a political party.

According to officials, the NDP is yet to return to the commission the standard registration forms after it had applied to be registered as a political party.

The acting Director of Public Relations at the EC, Mr Christian Owusu Parry, told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the commission had not taken any such decision on the colours of the NDP.

The Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations at the EC, Mr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, was reported to have told the media that the NDP had been advised to work on its colours to conform with section 10 of the political parties act since the black, red, white and green colours they had presented violated the Political Parties Act 574.

The party has been accordingly advised to work on its colours to conform with section 10 of the Act, which states that  “No prospective political party shall submit to the Commission for the purpose of registration under this Act any identifying symbol, slogan, colour or name which is the same as the symbol, slogan, colour or name of any other registered political party; or of the Republic; or which so closely resembles the symbol, slogan, colour or name of a registered political party or the Republic as to be likely to deceive or confuse members of the public.” Mr Katanka was reported to have said.

Mr Owusu Parry however indicated that Mr Kantaka only explained the circumstances under which the colours submitted by a political party could be rejected.

“He did not make any categorical statement in reference to the NDP’s colours”, Mr Parry said, adding that it was only when the NDP had submitted the registration forms that the EC would scrutinise the documents and act appropriately.

“We would begin scrutinising the colours when they return the forms.Until then, no such decision can be taken in the absence of the application forms”, he reiterated.

The interim chairman of the NDP, Dr Nii Armah Josiah Aryee, had also rubbished the report, saying no such issues were raised regarding the party colours at the time when officials forwarded the application.

According to him, they had done careful enquiries which suggested that their colours had not been rejected.

“ We have at the moment hit the road to ensure founding members nationwide append their signatures as required by the laid down regulations”, Dr Aryee said.

The NDP, made of up of aggrieved members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), on July 4, this year, submitted application for registration after months of speculation on the formation of a new party by a former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.

The party which has hinted of its decision to contest the upcoming December elections has  named Dr Aryee as its interim chairman, awaiting a final certification from the EC.

SOURCE: Della Russel Ocloo, Daily Graphic, Wed July 11, 2012