The Accra High Court has concluded hearings on legal disputes involving four contentious parliamentary constituencies: Tema Central, Okaikwei Central, Techiman South, and Ablekuma North.
The court is set to deliver its judgment on Saturday at noon after intense legal arguments between the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Electoral Commission (EC).
In Tema Central, NPP lawyer Gary Nimako argued that the collation process was incomplete due to irregularities, including missing results from two polling stations.
He claimed the NDC, which asserts victory, failed to present pink sheets to substantiate its claim.
Citing Regulation 43 of C.I. 127, Nimako emphasized that election results must be documented on Forms 1C and 1D of the Electoral Commission.
He argued that the absence of these forms in the exhibits supported the claim that proper declarations were not made.
The Electoral Commission, represented by Justin Amenuvor, backed the NPP’s application, admitting that the collation processes were incomplete.
Amenuvor urged the court to compel the EC to complete its duties, warning that failure to do so could set a precedent for future electoral misconduct.
NDC lawyer Edudzi Tamakloe opposed the NPP’s application, arguing that any irregular declaration must be challenged through an election petition, not a mandamus application.
He referenced a letter from the NPP candidate acknowledging the declaration, asserting that the EC’s alleged inaction did not warrant mandamus.
In Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, the NPP incumbent MP, argued that only 110 out of 148 polling stations were considered when the NDC’s Baba Sadiq was declared the winner.
Boamah claimed this represented just 78% of the polling stations and called for the EC to complete the collation process.
Tamakloe, representing the NDC, countered by citing a letter from Boamah to the EC acknowledging the declaration and requesting its annulment.
He argued that annulment can only be pursued through an election petition, rendering the mandamus application inappropriate.
For Techiman South and Ablekuma North, Nimako urged the court to rule based on the evidence presented, including documents and video footage.
The Electoral Commission raised no objections but asked the court to consider all submitted materials carefully.
Meanwhile, the NDC argued for separate rulings on each constituency, emphasizing the need to address the specific issues raised in each case.
The outcome of these cases could have significant implications for Ghana’s parliamentary composition.
The High Court’s judgment on Saturday is highly anticipated, as it could shape the political landscape in the contested constituencies.
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