As Ghana approaches the 2024 elections, the quest for a viable and formidable third force continues to grow. Since the inception of the Fourth Republic, Ghana has essentially evolved into a two-party state dominated by the NPP and the NDC. Many argue that these two parties are merely two sides of the same coin, and without a credible alternative, they will continue to take Ghanaians for granted.

I wholeheartedly support the call for a third force, a sentiment echoed by the disenchanted and disillusioned youth who are dissatisfied with the NPP and NDC's performance in driving development since independence. Compared to countries like Kenya and Rwanda, which started their development journey later than Ghana, our progress has been disappointingly slow.

Local polls suggest that Alan Kyerematen and Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar or Freedom Jacob Caesar, are emerging as potential leaders of this third force. But the pressing question is: will they be able to avoid disqualification and have their names on the ballot for the December 7th, 2024 elections?

Nana Kwame Bediako has yet to register the New Force Movement as an official political party. Consequently, he has declared his intention to contest the upcoming presidential election as an independent candidate due to delays in acquiring the necessary approval from the Electoral Commission. Alan Kyerematen is also gearing up to contest as an independent candidate. Many believe that these two gentlemen will be the kingmakers in the 2024 elections, which could benefit our democracy by mitigating the risks associated with a straight win for either the NPP or the NDC and promoting social cohesion and inclusivity.

However, the critical concern is whether Alan and Nana Kwame Bediako can successfully navigate the election registration process and secure their positions on the ballot. They must learn from the recent history of the 2020 elections, where Mr Kofi Koranteng and four other candidates were disqualified at the eleventh hour due to procedural glitches. This dashed the hopes and excitement of seeing these promising candidates on the ballot, with the court upholding the EC’s decision.

To avoid a similar fate, it is imperative that Alan and Cheddar fully understand the registration requirements and the entire electoral process. Even the slightest mistake can lead to disqualification if the EC decides to apply strict rules. Experience has shown that leniency often allows independent candidates to proceed, but strict adherence to fairness would disqualify many due to administrative inadequacies.

Beyond the political landscape, similar breaches leading to disqualifications occur in the sports arena. Serving as a member of the GFA Elections Committee for the past three and a half years, I witnessed the disqualification of George Afriyie, a prominent football administrator and former Vice President of the GFA, from the FA Presidential race in October 2023. His disqualification was due to a clerical error, where one of his endorsers was not an authorized signatory for his club, a crucial requirement in Article 13(2)(j) of the Ghana Football Association statutes. Despite his extensive knowledge of the rules, George Afriyie fell victim to this oversight, and his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was dismissed, upholding the GFA Elections Committee's decision.

On the political front, five presidential aspirants were disqualified in the 2020 elections, including Kofi Koranteng, Marricke Kofi Gane, Akwasi Odike of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Kwasi Busumburu of the People’s Action Party (PAP), and Agyenim Boateng of the United Front Party (UFP). Alleged forgery of signatures and manufacturing of endorsements led to their disqualification, with subsequent court cases dismissed.

Why would anyone seeking the highest office in the land or an organisation's top position through elections make such blunders after investing significant time and money in their campaigns? My advice, based on years of experience as a GFA Elections Committee member, is that courts rarely reverse disqualification suits related to nonconformance, regardless of perceived insignificance. This is a legal and constitutional framework under which most election management bodies operate, making their decisions nearly irreversible by third parties, including courts.

Therefore, Alan and Nana Kwame Bediako must ensure they fully understand all registration requirements and that their nominees and supporters meet every criterion before filing for the December 7th election as independent candidates. Additionally, contracting a consultant to oversee the filing and documentation process can help avoid minor glitches that could lead to disqualification.

In conclusion, the potential disqualification of Alan Kyerematen and Nana Kwame Bediako underscores the importance of meticulous preparation and adherence to electoral regulations. Their successful candidacy could significantly impact Ghana's democratic landscape, offering a much-needed third force and fostering greater inclusivity and social cohesion.

By ensuring they fully understand the registration requirements and employing strategies to avoid procedural errors, they can navigate the complexities of the electoral process and stand as viable alternatives to the established political parties. To further safeguard against disqualification, they should hire third-party auditors to review and verify all documents, ensuring they meet every requirement before filing. This proactive approach would resonate with the disenchanted youth and promote a more dynamic and responsive political environment in Ghana.