The High Court has instructed the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to recollate and announce the parliamentary election results for the Ablekuma North and Nsawam-Adoagyiri constituencies. This decision nullifies the previous declarations for these constituencies, citing significant irregularities in the collation and announcement processes.
The ruling follows a judicial review sought by six New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates. These candidates, dissatisfied with the election results in six constituencies, requested a mandamus order compelling the EC to undertake a proper collation and declare the results. The affected constituencies include Tema Central, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Okaikwei Central, Techiman South, Ablekuma North, and Ahafo Ano North.
The candidates also appealed to the Court to direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide adequate security at collation centers, ensuring the EC could perform its constitutional duties without interference. This request came amid reports of threats and disturbances during the collation process, which they argued compromised the integrity of the elections.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) attempted to join the case by filing a motion for joinder, seeking to be included in the proceedings. However, the Court dismissed the motion, ruling that the NDC lacked sufficient grounds to justify their inclusion. Presiding judge Joseph Adu Owusu Agyeman delivered the verdict on Friday, December 20, ordering the EC to immediately recollate the results for Ablekuma North and Nsawam-Adoagyiri. The directive was issued despite strong objections from the NDC’s legal team, led by lawyer Godwin Edudzi Tamaklo.
The case highlights broader concerns about the transparency and fairness of Ghana’s electoral process. On December 19, the EC nullified the parliamentary election results for Dome Kwabenya, Okaikwei Central, and Ablekuma North, citing procedural breaches and irregularities in the collation process. At a press briefing in Accra, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa elaborated on the anomalies, describing how results in some constituencies were declared without proper collation and verification.
In the case of Okaikwei Central, results from 31 polling stations were excluded from the final tally. Similarly, in Ablekuma North, results from 62 polling stations were not collated before a winner was declared. Mensa described these actions as unacceptable, stating that the declarations were made under duress and cannot be upheld as legitimate. She emphasized the EC’s commitment to rectifying these errors through proper recollation and verification processes.
The NPP candidates who filed the judicial review argued that the EC’s failure to adhere to proper procedures undermined the credibility of the election results. They insisted that only a transparent recollation of the results could restore public confidence in the electoral process. Their petition also stressed the need for enhanced security at collation centers to prevent interference and threats, which they claimed had marred the initial collation exercise.
Justice Adu Owusu Agyeman’s ruling acknowledged these concerns, instructing the EC to prioritize accuracy and transparency in the recollation process. The Court also underscored the importance of maintaining a secure environment for the EC to carry out its duties without intimidation or coercion.
The controversies surrounding the Ablekuma North and Nsawam-Adoagyiri constituencies are part of a broader pattern of disputes over electoral irregularities. Out of 12 constituencies flagged by the EC for recollation, the process has been successfully completed in Suhum, Akwatia, and Fanteakwa North. However, unresolved issues in Okaikwei Central and Ablekuma North continue to draw significant attention.
At the December 19 press briefing, Jean Mensa highlighted the challenges faced by the EC in conducting the collation process. She described how threats to EC staff and procedural breaches had undermined the integrity of the results in several constituencies. The EC Chairperson reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process, calling for patience as the recollation efforts proceed.
The Court’s decision to dismiss the NDC’s motion for joinder signals a focus on the substantive issues raised by the NPP candidates. This outcome reinforces the judiciary’s role in safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring that grievances are addressed through lawful channels.
The recollation process for Ablekuma North and Nsawam-Adoagyiri is expected to provide clarity on the true outcomes of the parliamentary elections in these constituencies. Stakeholders across the political spectrum have been urged to remain calm and allow the EC to complete the process without interference.
The resolution of these disputes is seen as critical to restoring public confidence in Ghana’s electoral system. It also sets a precedent for addressing similar issues in future elections, emphasizing the need for continued reforms to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
As the EC works to implement the Court’s directive, all eyes remain on the outcome of the recollation process. The results will not only determine the parliamentary representation for Ablekuma North and Nsawam-Adoagyiri but will also serve as a test of the EC’s commitment to electoral integrity.
