Seventeen (17) political parties have been flagged by Ghana's Electoral Commission (EC) as potentially at risk of losing their registration.
The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE), Yes People's Party (YPP), United Ghana Movement (UGM), and the Democratic People's Party are among the parties (DFP).
The remaining parties are the United Love Party, People's Action Party, United Renaissance Party, Ghana Democratic-Republican Party, Ghana National Party, Ghana Democratic-Republican Party, Power Unity Party, United Progressive Party, Reform Patriotic Democrats, and People's Action Party (ULP).
According to the EC, the parties have failed to comply with Section 15 (1) of the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574).
It states that "Within ninety days after the issue to it of a final certificate of registration, a political party shall furnish the Commission with details of the existence and location of its national, regional, district and constituency offices".
The EC claims that after a statewide check of registered party offices, it was discovered that none of them had a presence in the various regions, districts, or electoral districts.
"This exercise was conducted from the 16th of May to the 9th of June, 2022", a notice from the EC.
"Following the nationwide inspection, it came to light that the under-listed Political Parties have no offices at the National and Regional levels as required by Section 15 (1) (Act 574).
"The Commission intends to invoke Section 15 (3) (c) of the Political Parties Act of 2000, Act 574, which mandates it to cancel the registration of Political Parties which do not have offices at the National and Regional levels", the notice read.
The parties have been asked by the Commission to explain why their registration should not be withdrawn.
The Commission ruled that this must be accomplished in writing and provided no later than October 2022.
Below Is The Full Notice From The EC:
THE POLITICAL PARTIES ACT OF 2000, ACT 574- COMPLIANCE BY POLITICAL PARTIES
In a bid to ensure compliance with Section 22 (1) of the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), the Electoral Commission undertook a nationwide exercise to inspect the offices of all registered political parties in Ghana. This exercise was conducted from the 16th of May to the 9th of June, 2022.
Following the nationwide inspection, it came to light that the under-listed Political Parties have no offices at the National and Regional levels as required by Section 15 (1) (Act 574).
The Commission intends to invoke Section 15 (3) (c) of the Political Parties Act of 2000, Act 574, which mandates it to cancel the registration of Political Parties which do not have offices at the National and Regional levels.
In this vein, the following Political Parties are by this notice requested to show cause in writing to the Electoral Commission why their registration should not be cancelled:
Democratic People’s Party (DPP)
United Front Party (UFP)
United Development System Party (UDSP)
Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE)
Yes People’s Party (YPP)
United Ghana Movement (UGM)
Democratic Freedom Party (DFP)
New Vision Party (NVP)
Ghana Democratic Republican Party (GDRP)
Ghana National Party (GNP)
Power Unity Party (PUP)
United Progressive Party (UPP)
Reform Patriotic Democrats (RPD)
People’s Action Party (PAP)
United Renaissance Party (URP)
National Reform Party (NRP)
United Love Party (ULP)
The responses should reach the Commission not later than Thursday, 20th October 2022
Note: This Public Notice has become necessary due to the failure of the listed Political Parties to furnish the Electoral Commission with information on their locations.