Supreme Court Orders Reassignment of NPP Mandamus Application
The Supreme Court has directed that the mandamus applications filed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates regarding the re-collation of parliamentary election results in nine constituencies be reassigned to a different High Court judge.
This decision follows the Supreme Court’s nullification of the original High Court’s December 20 orders, which had mandated the Electoral Commission (EC) to re-collate the results.
Supreme Court’s Ruling
Justice Gabriel Pwamang, delivering the ruling, clarified that while the previous orders had been quashed, the mandamus applications remain valid and must be determined by a new judge. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the judicial process.
“Despite quashing orders stated above, the applications for mandamus themselves are still alive and ought to be heard and determined,” he stated.
To expedite the process, the Supreme Court invoked its powers under Article 129 (4) of the 1992 Constitution and granted a two-day timeframe for filing affidavits and responses related to the case.
Background and Developments
The legal dispute began with the December 20 High Court ruling, which directed the EC to re-collate results in nine constituencies. This was challenged by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which argued that the directive was illegal and procedurally flawed.
The EC has since re-collated results in seven constituencies, all won by the NPP. However, results for Dome/Kwabenya and Ablekuma North remain unresolved, escalating tensions.
The Supreme Court has now directed the High Court to hear the mandamus applications on December 31, 2024, to meet the electoral timeline ahead of the swearing-in of the new Parliament on January 7, 2025.
Next Steps
The reassignment of the case to a different judge aims to ensure impartiality and restore confidence in the judicial process. Political stakeholders and observers are closely monitoring the proceedings as the outcome may have significant implications for Ghana’s electoral framework.
