In a dramatic turn of events, the High Court in Kumasi has ordered substituted service on the Electoral Commission of Ghana and other respondents in a parliamentary election petition.
The petition, filed by Sadik Abubakar, challenges the legitimacy of the parliamentary election held in the Ahafo Ano South West Constituency on December 7, 2024.
The Battle for Electoral Justice
At the heart of the petition is a contentious dispute over the conduct of the parliamentary election. The petitioner alleges that the election was marred by irregularities and electoral malpractices, which compromised the integrity of the outcome.
The respondents, including Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah, the Electoral Commission of Ghana, and the Speaker of Parliament, have been ordered to respond to the petition.
The Court’s Verdict
In a ruling delivered on January 28, 2025, the High Court ordered substituted service on the respondents. This means that the petition, motion for interlocutory injunction, and hearing notice will be served on the respondents through alternative means.
The court specified that the documents be posted on the following locations:
- The High Court’s Notice Board in Kumasi
- The Notice Board of the Parliament of Ghana
- The premises of the New Patriotic Party’s Constituency Office in Mankraso-Ashanti.
The outcome of this petition will have far-reaching implications for the legitimacy of the parliamentary election and the representation of the Ahafo Ano South West Constituency in Parliament. As the case unfolds, it is expected to shed light on the conduct of the election and the role of the Electoral Commission of Ghana in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
Background:
Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah, the candidate representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Ahafo Ano South West, was officially announced as the winner of the parliamentary election after a recount of votes mandated by the court.
The recount, which was overseen by the Electoral Commission (EC), validated Dapaah’s victory with a total of 16,680 votes.
His nearest rival, Sedik Abubakar from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), garnered 16,540 votes, resulting in one of the most closely contested elections in the history of the constituency.
The recount was initiated after the NDC raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the initial collation process.
These grievances led to heightened tensions in the constituency, with both parties demanding transparency and fairness in the handling of election results.
Source: www.kumasimail.com Kwadwo Owusu
