NDC Takes Election Dispute To Court Of Appeal, Seeks Reversal Of High Court Ruling In NPP’s Mandamus Application

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, contesting the High Court’s ruling that ordered the Electoral Commission (EC) to complete the collation and declaration of parliamentary results for four disputed constituencies.

The appeal challenges the decision of Justice Forson Agyepong, who granted a mandamus application filed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to compel the EC to finalize and declare results for Tema Central, Ablekuma North, Okaikwei Central, and Techiman South.

Court’s Directives and NDC’s Concerns

The High Court ruling, delivered on January 3, 2025, instructed the EC to conclude the collation and announcement of results by January 6, 2025, while also mandating the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to provide armed security during the process.

However, the NDC has expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment, arguing that it failed to address critical irregularities in the electoral process. In its appeal, the party claims the ruling was procedurally flawed and could undermine the credibility of the election outcomes.

Legal and Electoral Controversies

This appeal is the latest chapter in an escalating series of legal battles stemming from the contentious December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections. Disputes over results in the four constituencies have been particularly fraught, with accusations of electoral malpractice exchanged between the NPP and NDC.

The NDC’s legal team is questioning the EC’s transparency and the potential implications of rushing the collation and declaration process without addressing underlying irregularities.

This follows a prior intervention by the Supreme Court, which quashed a High Court order for the re-collation of results in the same constituencies, citing procedural missteps in failing to hear an interested party.

Political Implications

The disputed constituencies are considered significant battlegrounds, with the outcomes likely to influence the balance of power in Parliament. Both parties have doubled down on their positions, heightening tensions within the political landscape.

While the NPP has welcomed the High Court’s decision as a step toward resolving the stalemate, the NDC’s appeal signals a continued contestation of the electoral process.

Observers have called for transparency and fairness as the legal proceedings unfold, emphasizing the importance of public trust in the democratic process.

With the appeal now before the Court of Appeal, the nation awaits a resolution to what has become a litmus test for Ghana’s electoral integrity and the resilience of its judicial system.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com