NDC files suit to stop EC from re-collating parliamentary results of 5 constituencies

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has filed a lawsuit to stop the Electoral Commission (EC) from re-collating and redeclaring the parliamentary election results for the constituencies of Dome-Kwabenya, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, and Obuasi East.

The NDC argues that the EC no longer holds the authority to revisit the results after they were initially declared. This legal move follows ongoing disputes over the initial collation process.

Earlier, the EC had invalidated the results in Dome-Kwabenya, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, and Tema Central, citing procedural irregularities. On December 13, Samuel Tettey, the Deputy EC Chair for Operations, explained that the results were annulled due to non-compliance with procedures under CI 127. He also noted that police presence was ensured during the re-collation process to maintain order.

However, the NDC and five applicants, including parliamentary candidates Faustina Elikplim Akurugu, Baba Sadiq, Ewurabena Aubynn, Ebi Bright, and Samuel Aboagye, contend that the EC has already exhausted its mandate and should not be allowed to revisit the results.

The NDC is now seeking a court order to prevent the EC from re-collating, recounting, or redeclaring the parliamentary results. Their motion calls for a declaration that the EC no longer has the authority to alter the results for these constituencies.

This legal challenge raises significant questions about the EC’s powers and the broader implications for electoral integrity and governance.

Additionally, Dr. John Kofi Halm, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Trobu, has filed a petition contesting the results of the December 7 parliamentary election in his constituency. Dr. Halm alleges that the election process was marred by up to 98 irregularities across 288 polling stations. He claims that these irregularities violate Regulation 39 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2000 (C.I. 127), and is seeking a court order to annul the results from the affected stations, along with a rerun.

Dr. Halm is also requesting that the court prevent the Clerk of Parliament from swearing in Gloria Owusu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, who was declared the winner by the EC.

Read the suit filed