In a significant judicial intervention, the High Court has mandated the Electoral Commission (EC) to collate and redeclare the results from 62 outstanding polling stations in the Ablekuma North constituency. This ruling follows a successful application by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for a writ of mandamus, compelling the EC to complete the electoral process fully.
Justice Baah Forson Agyapong, who presided over the case, stressed the necessity for the EC to include all votes to ensure the integrity of the election. The Ablekuma North constituency comprises 281 polling stations, but only 219 had been collated at the time of the court’s decision.
The NPP argued that the EC’s earlier declaration was flawed since the results from all polling stations had not been accounted for, which could skew the outcome of the parliamentary election. The EC had attempted to justify the premature declaration by citing security concerns for its staff, but the court ruled that such concerns do not negate the legal requirement to collate all votes.
This ruling carries broader implications for electoral practices in Ghana, emphasizing that complete and accurate collation of votes is non-negotiable for maintaining the credibility of elections. It follows a pattern of judicial oversight in electoral matters, with a similar mandate given for the Tema Central constituency.
Additionally, the court has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure that the recollation process occurs under secure conditions, preventing any potential disruptions. This directive aims to facilitate a smooth and fair completion of the electoral process.
The re-collation could potentially alter the current standing of the parliamentary race, particularly for NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn, who had been leading based on the previously declared results. Her recent thanksgiving service celebrating her initial victory now hangs in the balance as the EC moves to comply with the court’s order.
This case highlights the judiciary’s role in safeguarding democratic processes, ensuring that every vote is counted, and reinforcing public faith in electoral outcomes.