The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken legal action against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) concerning the disputed election results in Obuasi East, Ahafo Ano North, and Ahafo Ano Southwest constituencies.
The NDC-led lawyer Evans Amankwah, speaking on behalf of the party expressed the NDC’s disapproval, grievances, and the legal proceedings initiated to address the perceived irregularities.
Lawyer Amankwah outlined the procedural requirements for filing election petitions, emphasizing the court’s mandate on securing costs for the processes involved. He stated;
“Per the rules of this honorable court, the high court of Ghana, if you file an election petition, you have to file a motion ex parte for the court to determine the cost that will be secured for the processes of this petition.”
Evans Amankwah Esq. Lawyer Led (NDC)
He confirmed that the court had granted applications related to Ahafo Ano North, Ahafo Ano South -west, and Obuasi East, with a security cost set at GHS 40,000.
The NDC expressed readiness to pay the required amount and announced their intention to file an injunction application in the upcoming days. He described;
“NPP disrupted the whole process of collating the results. The results were not collated, and NPP did not go to court on that. The Electoral Commission declared the NPP candidate as the winner without any notice to us.”
Evans Amankwah Esq. Lawyer Led (NDC)
He emphasized that the results should have been collated in the presence of all political parties, and the absence of this process prompted the NDC to challenge what they termed as an illegal act by the EC.
Turning to Obuasi East, Lawyer Amankwah highlighted the discrepancies in the collation process. He explained:
“Our honorable Samuel Aboagye was declared the winner of that constituency. Now, when the NPP was going to court mandamus to compel the electoral commission to re-collate some of the results and collate results, Obuasi East was not part of it. So, they knew very well that in Obuasi East, they did not have a case so they didn’t go to court on that.’’
Evans Amankwah Esq. Lawyer Led (NDC)
Moreover, Lawyer Amankwah criticized the EC’s decision to re-collate the results without informing the NDC, labeling it a breach of established electoral procedures and a display of double standards.
“In the 2020 elections in Techiman, the Electoral Commission’s verdict was that once results have been declared, they cannot go back and re-collate those results. The only remedy left was to go to court. So, what changed? This is double standards, and is something we are not going to allow to pass.”
Evans Amankwah Esq. Lawyer Led (NDC)
He accused the EC of bias and partiality towards the NPP, particularly in the case of Obuasi East, where the NDC had substantial evidence of irregularities.
Emphasizing the importance of justice for the people of Obuasi East, Amankwah declared that the NDC’s pursuit of the case was not merely about numbers, because if it is about the numbers, the NDC already has a two-thirds majority in Parliament. However, it’s about ensuring fairness and integrity in the electoral process.
He criticized the EC for declaring the NPP candidate, Patrick Boakye-Yiadom, as the winner despite existing evidence that the original declaration favored Samuel Aboagye.
Allegations of Duress and Video Evidence
He pointed out that the NDC has video evidence that shows the EC returning officer declared the results without any pressure or duress. Any suggestion to the contrary is a fabrication.
Lawyer Amankwah condemned the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, accusing her of misleading the public with false narratives regarding the conduct of the elections.
Finally, Lawyer Amankwah touched on the situation in Ahafo Ano North, where he alleged that the collation process was also disrupted by NPP supporters, leading to incomplete results.
He expressed frustration over the EC’s decision to proceed with collation without notifying the NDC, further questioning the legitimacy of the results declared.
The NDC, through its lead lawyer Evans Amankwah, has underscored its commitment to seeking justice in the contested constituencies of Obuasi East, Ahafo Ano North, and Ahafo Ano Southwest.
The party remains resolute in its demand for transparency and accountability from the Electoral Commission, vowing to pursue the matter until justice is served.
The legal battle signifies a broader struggle for electoral integrity and fairness in Ghana’s democratic process.
READ ASLO; President Mahama Makes Strategic National Security Appointments
