2024 Election: Independent Candidate in Central Tongu, Selorm Dzramado sued

Central Tongu Constituency Independent Candidate, Dramani Selorm Dzramado sued 

The Central Tongu Constituency Communications Officer, Brilliant Farhad Ibn Okudzeto, has taken legal action against the Independent Parliamentary Candidate in the constituency, Dramani Selorm Dzramado, for using NDC party paraphernalia in his campaign without authorization.

According to Brilliant Farhad Ibn Okudzeto, this legal action is a strategic move to protect the party’s brand and prevent voter confusion. It was also emphasized that the action aligns with former President John Dramani Mahama’s call for executives of NDC to work hard, ensure ballot security, and select competent polling agents.

The legal action is aimed at achieving the following:

1. Maintain brand/party integrity: To prevent the unauthorized use of party symbols, colors, and materials.
2. Avoid voter confusion: Ensuring that only authorized candidates are associated with the NDC brand in Central Tongu.
3. Protect party interests: Safeguarding the party’s reputation and preventing potential harm.

This move by Brilliant Farhad Ibn Okudzeto demonstrates his party’s commitment to a unified campaign and adherence to party guidelines.

Below is the legal action available in texts and documents for your perusal

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT

I, BRILLIANT FARHAD IBN OKUDZETO (COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC) PARTY OF THE CENTRAL TONGU CONSTITUENCY) of Adidome in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region in the Republic of Ghana make oath and say as follows:

1. That I am the Deponent/Applicant herein.

2. That the facts deposed to are within my best of my knowledge and belief.

3. That I have the consent and authority from the Executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party in the Central Tongu Constituency to swear to this affidavit.

4. That I caused Writ of Summons together with Statement of Claim which was duly served on the Defendant/Respondent.

5. That the Defendant/Respondent claimed to be an independent candidate for the Central Tongu Constituency in the upcoming 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

6. That the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party has on the 13th day of May, 2023 re-elected Hon. Alexander Gabby Roosevelt Hottordze the Member of Parliament for the Central Tongu Constituency to represent the party in the 2024 general elections. Attached and marked Exhibit “A”

7. That the Defendant/Respondent who is not a known member of National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party has without the consent of the party, using the logo and the image of the presidential candidate for the 2024 general election is designing his (Defendant) posters and banners and publicly advertising himself in the constituency at the detriment of the rightful candidate of the 2024 parliamentary election. Attached and marked Exhibit “B”

8. That the Defendant/Respondent’s posters has been published by his supporters and assigns on social media pages with images of the presidential candidate on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party for the 2024 general elections. Attached and marked Exhibit “C”.

9. That the Defendant/Respondent’s conduct violets the Copyright Acts 2005 (Act 690) and Political Parties Act 2000 (Act 574) and needed to be dealt with according to the laws of Ghana.

10. That the Defendant/Respondent should be restrained by the order(s) of this Honourable Court to remove all banners, bill boards and posters with the logo and image of the presidential candidate of the Democratic Congress (NDC) Party which the Defendant/Respondent is using for his parochial interest and at the detriment of the chances of the party in the 2024 general elections.

11. That the Defendant and his supporters has been using the paraphernalia and flags of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party on his campaign tours. Attached and marked Exhibit “D”.

12. That it is envisage Defendant/Respondent despite this action will seriously continue use the paraphernalia’s, logos and pictures or images of the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party at the detriment of the lawful and legally elected parliamentary candidate of the party.

13. That Defendant/Respondent will not stop his misconduct unless restrained by this Honourable Court.

14. That the status quo ante ought to be preserved through the grant of an interlocutory injunction till the final determination of the suit.

15. WHEREFORE, I swear to this Affidavit in support

APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF CIVIL SUMMONS TO ISSUE

PLEASE CAUSE UP to issue a civil writ of summons at the instance of the Plaintiff against the Defendant as per the particulars of claim hereunder and make same returnable at a convenient date to the court.

Particulars of Claim: –

The Plaintiff’s claim against the Defendant is as follows:

1. An order of the Honourable Court to compel the Defendant who is an independent candidate for Central Tongu Constituency to remove and pull down all posterS and bill boards used by the Defendant who is an independent parliamentary candidate in the Central Tongu Constituency and publicly advertising himself by using the logos and images of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2024 general elections.

2. An order of the Honourable Court to compel the Defendant who is an independent candidate for Central Tongu Constituency to further stop using the paraphernalia and images of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party for his (Defendant) campaign gatherings.

3. An order of the Honourable Court to compel the Defendant who is an independent candidate for Central Tongu Constituency to direct his supporters, assigns and sympathizers to stop using the paraphernalia and images of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party.

4. An order of the Honourable Court to compel the Defendant who is an independent candidate for Central Tongu Constituency, his supporters, assigns and sympathizers stop publishing any poster designed with the logo, images of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party’s presidential candidate in the 2024 general election

5. Any order(s) this Honourable Court deem fit

6. Costs.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh