The Electoral Commission (EC) changed the bird from one of the independent candidates running in the Kumawu constituency’s parliamentary by-election to a hoe.
Following social media teasing about the resemblances between the two independent candidates’ clothing, names, and symbols on the Notice of Poll, this happened.
The poll notice that is making the rounds on social media features images of the independent candidates with the same name, wearing kente cloth, and bearing the bird symbol.
However, the Commission clarified in a statement it released that the Notice of Police making the rounds on social media is merely a draft that has since been improved.
Both Independent Candidates, it claimed, gave a picture of a bird—their symbol—and a picture of themselves in kente to the Kumawu District Officer.
Based on this, a draft Notice of Poll was created, submitted to the Commission for approval, and included a photograph of the Independent Candidates who had similar names, attire, and symbols.
The Commission asserts that the Notice was neither approved nor gazetted, indicating that a Notice of Poll does not become legally binding until it is published in the official gazette.
“The version circulating on social media was never gazetted. It was a mere draft reflecting the photographs and symbols presented to the District Officer.”
“When this anomaly came to the notice of the Commission, the second Independent Candidate
was advised to change his symbol since he was the last to submit his Nomination Form.”
“He refused to do so causing the Commission to apply Regulation 14(1) (b) and (c) of the Public
Elections Regulations, 2020, C.I. 127 which states as follows: 14
(1) “Where an election is contested, the Commission shall, as soon as practicable after the nomination day; (b) allocate to a candidate who is not sponsored by a registered political party a symbol, colour or combination of colours chosen by that candidate; or (c) allocate a symbol, colour or combination of colours that the Commission considers appropriate
in any other case.”
The Commission claimed that as a result, it had given him the hoe symbol, which is now reflected in the Notice of Poll that has been posted throughout Kumawu.
It assured the public that it would not put up with behavior that went against its rules and might jeopardize its well-earned reputation and integrity.
