The fate of disputed MPs-elect in four constituencies, including Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, and Tema Central, is expected to be determined by an Accra High Court today, Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
This follows a legal showdown between the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Electoral Commission (EC) over the collation of election results in the affected constituencies.
A recent Supreme Court ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision that had granted an NPP application, compelling the EC to re-collate results in constituencies initially declared in favour of the NDC. After the re-collation, the EC declared NPP candidates victorious in seven constituencies.
The NDC contested the re-collation process, petitioning the Supreme Court on the grounds that their candidates had been denied the right to be heard at the High Court, which they argued violated principles of natural justice. They also accused the presiding judge of bias.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court sided with the NDC, determining that the rights of their candidates had indeed been infringed. Consequently, the High Court’s decision was overturned. However, the Supreme Court found no evidence to substantiate claims of judicial bias but directed the case to be reassigned to a new judge for further proceedings.
By: Ekow Annan || newsalertgh.com