In a significant development, six New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates have filed a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, seeking a court order to compel the EC to declare the results of the December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections in their respective constituencies.
The candidates, represented by lawyer Gary Nimako Marfo, are Charles Forson (Tema Central), Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Patrick Yaw Boamah (Okaikwei Central), Martin Kweku Adjei-Mensah Korsah (Techiman South), Nana Akua Owusu Afriye (Ablekuma North), and Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh (Ahafo Ano North).
According to the candidates, the elections were conducted smoothly in all polling stations, and the results were transmitted to the Returning Officers. However, the collation process was disrupted by violent acts from unidentified individuals at the collation centers, resulting in chaos and halting the proceedings.
Despite attempts to resume the collation process at the EC's regional collation center and later at the Police Training School in Tesano, Accra, the process remains incomplete. The candidates argue that the EC's failure to fulfill its statutory obligations undermines the democratic process.
The candidates are seeking two critical orders from the court. The first order seeks to mandate the EC to collate and declare the results of the elections in their respective constituencies. The second order calls for the Inspector General of Police to ensure adequate security at the collation centers to enable the EC to carry out its constitutional duties without further disruptions.
The candidates had issued a formal demand to the EC on December 16, 2024, for the immediate collation and declaration of results, but the EC has not taken action. The applicants contend that a court order is necessary to ensure the timely resolution of the matter and uphold electoral transparency.
This development comes amid tensions and controversies surrounding the 2024 Ghanaian general elections. The elections, held on December 7, 2024, saw the ruling NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) competing for the presidency and parliamentary seats. The EC's delay in declaring the results has sparked concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
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