Election petitions filed against three elected NPP members of Parliament in the Ahafo Ano North, South West and Obuasi Eas constituencies have been dismissed by Kumasi High Courts 6 and 2 respectively.
In its ruling on Monday morning, the courts found merit in the NPP’s arguments, citing legal provisions and statutes.
It subsequently dismissed the petitions as invalid.
Grounds:
The High Courts stated that the National Democratic Congress did not follow timelines regarding the filing of their petitions.
The courts also averred that the NDC and its agents breached procedures concerning election petitions.
Writ:
The NDC after the December 7, 2024 Parliamentary election filed processes at the Kumasi High Courts to challenge the election of the NPP candidates.
The processes sought to overturn the results of the 2024 parliamentary elections in the three named constituencies despite the NPP MPs having being declared as winners of the polls after several demanded recount of ballots.
Claims:
The NDC party maintained that the declarations in favour of the NPP candidates were unlawful and sought a reversal through the courts.
The applications were filed by Evans Amankwah, Counsel for the petitioners, together with regional executives and the affected parliamentary candidates.
NPP Interlocutory Injunction:
However, counsel for the NPP MPs countered that the NDC failed to comply with procedural requirements.
The NPP lawyers argued that the petitioners did not apply for the determination of security for costs within 21 days after the election results were gazetted, as required by law.
Court Ruling:
In its ruling, the court found merit in the NPP’s arguments, citing legal provisions and statutes.
It subsequently dismissed the petitions as invalid.
Costs:
The courts also awarded costs against the NDC: 10,000 Ghana cedis to the lawyer for the petitioners in the Ahafo Ano North case, and 30,000 Ghana cedis each to the petitioners in the Ahafo Ano South West and Obuasi East cases.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,
Kumasi.
