The Director of Legal Affairs for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gary Nimako, has expressed his view on the recent disqualification of some eleven presidential aspirants, emphasising the critical need for compliance with the rules established by the Electoral Commission (EC).

He stated that individuals aspiring to become president must be meticulous in their applications and adhere to the guidelines provided by the EC.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile programme on Saturday, September 28, Nimako highlighted that every political process operates under specific regulations that all participants must respect.

• Read also: No presidential aspirant was disqualified based on personal reasons – EC insists

His remarks come in response to outcry over the disqualification of some aspirants from the presidential race.

He reiterated that the EC’s decisions are rooted in a well-defined framework designed to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. “Every game has rules, and must be complied with,” he asserted, urging aspirants to recognize the importance of compliance for upholding the integrity of the electoral system.

While acknowledging the concerns of the disqualified aspirants, Nimako maintained that the rules set forth by the EC are essential for safeguarding the democratic process.

He encouraged all aspiring candidates to concentrate on meeting the necessary standards instead of contesting the Commission's decisions.

“This issue about people filing with the EC and making mistakes is concerning,” he noted, referencing his experience as a legal representative for the NPP in 2016 when candidates were reinstated on the ballot after errors were corrected.

Mr Nimako expressed disappointment that, given his previous experiences, candidates did not take the necessary precautions to ensure their applications were completed accurately this time.

“If they were given the opportunity to correct their mistakes and still failed, it raises concerns about someone wanting to be the president of the country but not being able to fill out the forms correctly,” he stated.

He however expressed the hope that the courts will settle the matter since some of the disqualified aspirants have sued the Commission.