The Accra High Court has postponed its decision on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) request for a mandamus order compelling the Electoral Commission (EC) to finish collating and announcing the results for four parliamentary constituencies until January 4, 2025.
Tema Central, Okaikwei Central, Techiman South, and Ablekuma North are the four contested constituencies.
The lawsuit follows the court’s dismissal of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) earlier objection, which claimed the court lacked jurisdiction to consider the application.
Between December 8, 2024, and January 1, 2025, Gary Nimako Marfo, the NPP’s lead attorney, said that the EC had not finished the collation process in the impacted constituencies.
He emphasized that voters in these constituencies had a right to know the outcome and the winners, calling this delay “irrational.”
By highlighting the lack of pink sheets and other required election documents (documents 1C and 1D as per Regulation 43 of C.I. 127), Nimako refuted the NDC’s assertion that declarations had been made in the constituencies.
Citing video footage, he claimed that an unauthorized person had broken election laws by reportedly declaring results in Tema Central.
In support of the NPP’s application, the EC, represented by Justin Amenuvor, asked the court to order it to finish the collation process.
Amenuvor acknowledged that the four constituencies’ collation was still lacking.
He cautioned that neglecting to issue the required directives may create a risky precedent that would allow unlawful meddling in upcoming elections.
Godwin Tameklo, the NDC’s counsel, contested the application, claiming that since the EC had already carried out its responsibilities—albeit purportedly in an inappropriate manner—mandamus did not apply.
He insisted that an election petition, not a mandamus application, should be used to settle any disagreement regarding the legality of declarations.
Tameklo cited supporting documentation, such as a letter from Charles Forson, one of the NPP applicants, acknowledging that a statement had been made but requesting revisions.
Additionally, he referenced a 2020 precedent in which the EC denied demands for recollation following the announcement of results.
Tameklo contended on behalf of Techiman South that claims of fraud or falsification needed an election petition and could not be settled by judicial review.
He emphasized that there was no proof that the EC had received the NPP’s demand letter about Ablekuma North.
It is anticipated that the court’s ruling on January 4, 2025, would address important legal issues, such as the EC’s responsibilities and the best procedures for settling election disputes.
Whether the court will order the EC to finish the collation process or instruct the parties to continue their complaints through electoral petitions is something that observers hope will be clear.
Source: newsthemegh.com