Supreme Court to Hear NDC’s Appeal Against High Court Orders on Parliamentary Results Today
Publisher December 27, 2024 0
The Supreme Court is set to hear a case today, December 27, 2024, in which the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is challenging a recent decision made by the High Court regarding the re-collation of parliamentary results in six constituencies. This legal battle stems from a December 20 ruling by the Accra High Court, which instructed the Electoral Commission (EC) to finalize and announce the parliamentary results for six specific constituencies: Tema Central, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Ablekuma North, Ahafo Ano North, Techiman South, and Okaikwei Central.
The High Court’s decision followed successful mandamus applications filed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates from these constituencies. The NPP candidates argued that it was crucial for the EC to finalize the results in these constituencies in order to comply with the legal framework governing the electoral process. The court, led by Justice Rev. Fr. Joseph Adu Owusu Agyemang, not only issued the order but also directed the Inspector-General of Police to provide adequate security at the collation centers, ensuring a smooth and peaceful process.
However, the NDC has raised concerns about the High Court’s ruling. The opposition party claims that the court erred by failing to require the NPP candidates to notify the NDC of the mandamus applications, as prescribed under Order 55 rule 5(2) of C.I. 47. This rule mandates that the other party involved in a legal action be informed before the case proceeds. According to the NDC, the failure to follow this procedural requirement invalidates the court’s decision.
This case is part of a larger series of disputes surrounding the finalization of results from the December 2024 parliamentary elections. The Electoral Commission has already acknowledged irregularities and concerns over pressure during the initial results collation process, leading the Commission to initiate re-collation in nine constituencies. The EC has stated that these actions are necessary to ensure that the electoral process is transparent and meets the legal standards required by the country’s electoral laws.
As of December 21, the re-collation process had been completed in seven of the nine constituencies identified by the EC, with NPP candidates emerging victorious in each of them. The final results for Dome-Kwabenya and Ablekuma North are still pending, awaiting completion of the re-collation process. The NDC, however, has been vocal in its opposition to the re-collation efforts and has expressed concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.
Today’s hearing in the Supreme Court is critical, as it will determine whether the High Court’s orders, directing the EC to finalize the results in the six contested constituencies, will stand or be overturned. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for the parliamentary election results and may impact the ongoing efforts to resolve the disputes surrounding the election. Should the Supreme Court decide to uphold the High Court’s ruling, the EC will proceed with finalizing the results in the affected constituencies. On the other hand, if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the NDC, the re-collation process could be delayed or potentially revised, further prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the election outcomes.
The case underscores the ongoing tensions in Ghana’s political landscape following the December 2024 elections, and it highlights the importance of legal processes in ensuring electoral integrity and upholding the democratic process. As the country awaits the Supreme Court’s decision, all eyes will be on the legal proceedings and their potential impact on Ghana’s political future.