NDC Accuses High Court Judge Of Bias And Partiality In Re-Collation Order
- The National Democratic Congress has alleged that the High Court Judge who ordered the re-collation of results in nine constituencies was biased and partial in his decision
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Agyemang had prevented the NDC from joining in the mandamus application filed by the EC
- According to the NDC, the judge erred by refusing them fair hearing and acted partially in a ruling that affected them
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the high court judge who directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to proceed with its re-collation exercise of bias and procedural errors.
The High Court Judge, Rev Fr Joseph Agyemang, on December 20, 2024, directed the EC to re-collate the results in nine disputed constituencies following mandamus applications filed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates.
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The NPP had argued that the initial collation process had been fraught with irregularities and, thus, needed re-collation to ensure transparency and accuracy.
The NDC attempted to join the suit to protest the NPP’s claims; however, the judge dismissed their application.
This led to the re-collation of the results in all the disputed areas except for Ablekuma North and Dome Kwabenya, which remain incomplete.
During the NDC’s appeal proceedings at the Supreme Court on Friday, December 27, 2024, Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, the NDC’s Director of Legal Affairs, argued that the High Court judge violated the principles of natural justice by refusing to hear the NDC’s side.
He argued that the judge’s decision not to hear the case had influenced the ruling, leading to the re-collation.
The NDC argued that Rev Fr Joseph Agyemang displayed bias and failed to address critical procedural requirements, such as Order 55 Rule 5 (2) of CI 47, which allows parties with an interest in a mandamus application to be notified and allowed to respond.
EC ordered to re-collate results
YEN.com.gh reported that the Electoral Commission was ordered to collate and declare the parliamentary results for Nsawam Adoagyiri.
The Accra High Court also ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide maximum protection at the collation centres to prevent any disturbances.
This came on the back of six NPP parliamentary candidates filing an order of mandamus urging the court to compel the EC and the IGP to do so.
Proofread by Samuel Gitonga, Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh
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Source: YEN.com.gh
