Election petitions in Ahafo Ano North, South West and Obuasi East dismissed

The High Court has dismissed a petition filed by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) seeking to overturn the results of the 2024 parliamentary elections in three constituencies.

 

The NDC had filed petitions contesting the outcomes in Ahafo Ano South West, Obuasi East, and Ahafo Ano North, arguing that its candidates had rightfully won the seats despite official recounts and the subsequent swearing-in of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament.

 

The party maintained that the declarations in favor of the NPP candidates were unlawful and sought a reversal through the courts.

 

The applications were filed by Evans Amankwah, counsel for the petitioners, together with regional executives and the affected parliamentary candidates.

 

However, counsel for the NPP MPs countered that the NDC failed to comply with procedural requirements. They argued that the petitioners did not apply for the determination of security for costs within 21 days after the election results were gazetted, as required by law.

 

In its ruling, the court found merit in the NPP’s arguments, citing legal provisions and statutes. It subsequently dismissed the petitions as invalid.

The court also awarded costs against the NDC: 10,000 Ghana cedis to the lawyer for the petitioners in the Ahafo Ano North case and 30,000 Ghana cedis each to the petitioners in the Ahafo Ano South East and Obuasi East cases.