High Court ends hearing on 4 disputed constituencies, judgment set for Saturday

The Accra High Court has completed hearings on the disputes surrounding four parliamentary constituencies: Tema Central, Okaikwei Central, Techiman South, and Ablekuma North. A ruling on the cases is set for Saturday, January 4, at 12pm after lengthy legal arguments from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Electoral Commission (EC).

In the Tema Central case, NPP counsel Gary Nimako argued that the collation process was disorganized and incomplete, with results from two polling stations missing in the declared outcomes. He contended that the NDC, claiming victory, failed to provide pink sheets to validate the declaration. The EC supported this view, urging the court to order the completion of the collation process.

NDC lawyer Edudzi Tamakloe opposed the motion, arguing that if the declaration violated election laws (C.I. 147), the appropriate course was an election petition, not a mandamus application. He referenced a letter from the NPP candidate acknowledging the declaration and argued that mandamus could only apply if the EC had refused a formal demand.

In Okaikwei Central, similar arguments were presented. NPP counsel for Patrick Boamah claimed that the EC was served a demand notice to properly complete the collation process. He argued that only 110 of 148 polling stations were considered in declaring Baba Sadiq of the NDC as the winner. The EC reiterated that only 78 percent of the polling stations were used in the result declaration and requested a directive to complete the process.

Tamako again represented the NDC, countering that Boamah’s letter to the EC had acknowledged the declaration and requested a revocation, which he argued should be addressed through an election petition. He maintained that mandamus was inappropriate since the EC had already undertaken its duties, though possibly in error.

For the other constituencies, Gary Nimako asked the court to review the cases based on submitted documents and evidence, with the EC agreeing but urging a comprehensive review, including video evidence. The NDC insisted on presenting distinct arguments for these constituencies, emphasizing the need to address critical issues individually.