An Accra High Court has directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to finalize the collation of results in the constituencies of Tema Central, Ablekuma North, Okaikwei Central, and Techiman South by January 6, 2025.
This follows mandamus applications filed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidates in the affected constituencies.
The presiding judge, Justice Forson Agyapong in his ruling stated that for a mandamus application to succeed, the applicant must demonstrate one or more of the following: lack or excess of jurisdiction, error of law on the face of the proceedings, failure to observe the rules of natural justice or violations of the Wednesbury principles. He also noted that the applicant must also show a public duty exists, that a demand for the performance of this duty was made, and that there was significant prejudice caused by the failure to perform the duty.
In the Tema Central case, the court found the EC had not fulfilled its obligation to collate all results, leaving two polling stations uncounted. Justice Agyapong ruled that any declaration made by someone other than the returning officer lacked legal validity.
Regarding Ablekuma North, the judge stressed that the EC’s declaration of results from 219 out of 281 polling stations was incomplete, with 62 polling stations left uncollated.
For Okaikwei Central, the EC was found to have declared results from only 110 out of 141 polling stations, failing to meet its full responsibility.
In Techiman South, the EC declared results based on just 135 out of 282 polling stations, which the court deemed insufficient.
The court ordered that the uncollated polling station results in all four constituencies be completed and incorporated into the final results before any official declarations are made.
Additionally, the court has instructed the Inspector General of Police to ensure adequate and armed security during the collation process.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
