A High Court in Accra is set to rule on a Mandamus application filed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates for four disputed constituencies. The constituencies in question are Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, and Techiman South.
The NPP candidates are urging the court to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to collate and declare the results for these constituencies, which they claim were not properly declared. According to the candidates, the EC failed to include results from some polling stations, rendering the initial declarations invalid.
Counsel for the NPP candidates, Gary Nimako Marfo, argued before the court that the polls were conducted in 148 polling stations in Tema Central, and the results were announced and forwarded to the Collation Center. However, the EC failed to collate and declare the results.
Marfo also pointed out that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) claims that the results were declared in their favor, but they failed to provide the necessary documentation to support their claim. Instead, they exhibited a video recording of the declaration.
The EC, represented by Counsel Justine Amenuvor, prayed the court to make appropriate orders to enable the Electoral body to complete the collation of results in the disputed constituencies.
Lawyers for the NDC opposed the Mandamus application, arguing that the issue is not about compelling the EC to perform its duty but rather about setting aside an earlier declaration. They claimed that the applicants are seeking to use the Mandamus application to challenge the election results, which is not the proper forum.
The court has adjourned to January 4 to rule on the application. The outcome of this case will determine the fate of the disputed constituencies and the legitimacy of the election results.
GBC/ Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
