In a pivotal ruling on January 4, 2025, the High Court granted the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s application to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to complete the collation and declaration of results for the two outstanding polling stations in the Tema Central constituency.
The court directed the EC to finalize the collation process and announce the results by January 6, 2025, while ensuring adherence to legal protocols. This decision is expected to resolve the prolonged uncertainty in the constituency, a hotly contested battleground between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Court Directive
In its ruling, the court also instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide robust security measures during the collation process to prevent disruptions and ensure public safety. The EC’s compliance with this directive is anticipated to bring closure to weeks of electoral tension in Tema Central.
“The EC must complete the collation process and declare the final results in accordance with this court order on or before January 6, 2025,” the court stated.
Background
The Tema Central constituency has faced multiple challenges since the December 7, 2024 parliamentary elections:
- Initial Suspension of Collation: The EC suspended the collation of results on December 8, 2024, following disruptions caused by disputes between NPP and NDC representatives.
- Court Interventions:
- On December 27, 2024, the Supreme Court annulled previously re-collated results for Tema Central, citing violations of candidates’ rights to fair hearing.
- Amidst these legal proceedings, the EC’s Returning Officer reported threats to his life, further delaying the collation process.
- Mandamus Application: In response to the delays, the NPP filed a mandamus application to compel the EC to fulfill its constitutional duty, culminating in today’s High Court ruling.
Implications of the Ruling
The High Court’s decision holds significant implications for both the constituency and the broader electoral process:
- Resolution of Electoral Uncertainty:
- Finalizing the results will bring clarity to the Tema Central parliamentary race, which remains one of the most contentious in the 2024 elections.
- Strengthening Electoral Accountability:
- The directive reinforces the importance of adhering to legal and procedural standards in the collation and declaration of election results.
- Political Ramifications:
- Both the NPP and NDC have closely monitored developments in Tema Central, as the outcome could impact their standing in Parliament.
Stakeholders React
- NPP Candidate’s Campaign Team: Welcomed the decision, emphasizing that the ruling affirms the EC’s obligation to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
- NDC Candidate’s Campaign Team: Expressed reservations, stressing the need for strict adherence to due process and adequate security to avoid further disruptions.
- Electoral Commission: Yet to issue an official statement but is expected to announce plans to comply with the court order.
What’s Next?
With the January 6 deadline fast approaching, the EC must act swiftly to ensure a smooth and secure collation process. The presence of law enforcement, as directed by the court, will be crucial in preventing further disruptions.
Both major political parties and constituents await the final declaration with keen interest, as it will not only determine the parliamentary representative for Tema Central but also set a precedent for handling similar disputes in future elections.
