The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has filed an interlocutory injunction to prevent the Electoral Commission (EC) from conducting the Ejisu by-election, slated for April 30, 2024.

The primary reason for this action is to halt the participation of Esther Osei, who is purported to be contesting on the CPP ticket. The CPP expressed its non-participation in the by-election through a letter… to the EC, focusing instead on reorganizing the party in the Ashanti Region in preparation for the December 7 elections.

“The applicant presents that, this attempt to get the said Esther Osei to contest in the Defendant’s intended Ejisu Constituency by-election is unconstitutional regarding the rules and regulations governing such exercise in the CPP. The Applicant thus, contests that the said Esther Osei has not been elected and approved under the requirement of the CPP Constitution. Therefore, Defendant cannot conduct the said Ejisu Constituency by-election with the said illegitimate person on the ballot as the CPP’s candidate to contest on behalf of the CPP.”
Wayoe Ghanamannti ESQ, Counsel for the Plaintiff/Applicant

Wayoe Ghanamannti, counsel for the plaintiff submitted to the Supreme Court that there is a serious question to be tried in the instant Suit. He argued that a potent breach of the CPP’s Constitution with respect to how the Party selects its Parliamentary candidate for a Parliamentary election, and this is a matter of great concern to the party.

The counsel for the plaintiff pleaded to the apex court that “[The applicant] has some right which has been or is threatened to be infringed unless the Respondent is restrained.”

Wayoe Ghanamannti argued that the applicant’s case is certainly not frivolous nor vexatious and there is a serious question that needs to be tried. The applicant demonstrated that there is a legal right, which requires the court’s protection.

Mr. Ghanamannti also revealed that the Plaintiff’s Party Constitution is about to be breached by Defendant, should Defendant go ahead and register and allow a person the Plaintiff’s political party has not elected and approved under the Party’s Constitution to contest a public election on behalf of the Plaintiff’s party.

The counsel for the plaintiff submitted that the Defendant’s decision to register the said Esther Osei to contest on the ticket of the CPP is in breach of the CPP’s Constitution on such matters. With this, a violation or infringement of a right may be feared or threatened, and in such a situation, it may be better to prevent the infringement than to wait until it has occurred.

Potential Impact of the CPP’s Interlocutory Injunction

The potential impact of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)’s interlocutory injunction on the upcoming December 7 elections in the Ashanti Region could be significant, particularly in terms of the party’s internal dynamics and its relationship with the Electoral Commission (EC).

The CPP’s legal action aims to halt the Ejisu by-election, which is scheduled for April 30, 2024, due to concerns over the candidacy of Esther Osei. The CPP argues that Esther Osei was introduced to the EC without following the party’s constitutional guidelines for candidate selection, which involves a Constituency Branch Party Conference followed by approval from the Central Committee. This dispute highlights the CPP’s internal challenges and its efforts to maintain control over its candidate selection process.

The outcome of this legal action could influence the CPP’s preparation for the December 7 elections. If the injunction is granted, it could delay the resolution of the internal dispute, potentially affecting the party’s ability to focus on its campaign strategy for the general elections.

Furthermore, the CPP’s focus on the internal dispute over the Ejisu by-election, as indicated by its decision to file an interlocutory injunction, suggests that the party may be prioritizing its internal issues over its broader political objectives in the Ashanti Region. This could potentially weaken the CPP’s position in the region, especially if the party’s internal dynamics continue to be a point of contention.