The High Court in Accra has issued a directive to the Electoral Commission (EC) to complete the collation of outstanding results in the constituencies of Tema Central, Ablekuma North, Okaikwei Central, and Techiman South by January 6, 2025.
The court also instructed the Inspector General of Police to ensure the provision of adequate and armed security during the collation exercises.
This ruling follows mandamus applications filed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidates in the disputed constituencies.
Justice Forson Agyapong, presiding over the case, highlighted the legal principles guiding mandamus applications, stating that applicants must prove factors such as a public duty to act, failure to perform the duty, and substantial prejudice caused by the inaction.
Specific Findings
- Tema Central: The EC failed to include results from two outstanding polling stations, a duty that Justice Agyapong ruled must be fulfilled. The judge emphasized that any declaration made by individuals other than the returning officer is legally invalid.
- Ablekuma North: The EC declared results based on 219 out of 281 polling stations, leaving 62 polling station results uncollated. The court ruled this as an incomplete duty.
- Okaikwei Central: Results were declared based on 110 out of 141 polling stations, a failure to complete the collation process as required by law.
- Techiman South: The EC declared results from only 135 out of 282 polling stations. Justice Agyapong ruled that the remaining results must be collated and included in the final tally.
The judge ordered that the outstanding polling station results in these constituencies be collated and added to the previously declared results before final declarations are made
