Supreme Court Overturns Tamale High Court Ruling on Kpandai Parliament Election

• The Tamale High Court ruling that annulled Matthew Nyindam’s 2024 victory in the parliamentary election has been overturned
• The Supreme Court granted the New Patriotic Party politician's certiorari application in a 4–1 majority decision
• Presiding judge Gabriel Scott Pwamang dissented, while four other justices ruled in favour of Nyindam in the matter

The Supreme Court has quashed the Tamale High Court ruling that annulled the 2024 parliamentary election won by Matthew Nyindam.

This comes after the apex court, by a 4–1 majority decision, granted the certiorari application filed by the New Patriotic Party politician.

Amadu-Omoro Tanko, Yonny Kulendi, Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, and Henry Kwoffie JJSC reportedly ruled in favour of the application, while Gabriel Scott Pwamang, the presiding judge, dissented.

Per this ruling, the proposed parliamentary election rerun in Kpandai will not take place, meaning that the Supreme Court’s verdict effectively upholds Nyindam as the duly elected Member of Parliament (MP).

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Kpandai by-election: Supreme Court to deliver verdict on Matthew Nyindam’s certiorari application

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Matthew Nyindam's arguments on Kpandai election result

Nyindam filed an application after the Tamale High Court ordered a rerun of the 2024 parliamentary election in the Kpandai Constituency.

He asked the Apex Court to exercise its supervisory jurisdiction to set aside the High Court’s ruling on the grounds of a jurisdictional error.

The certiorari application centres on the single issue of when the Electoral Commission (EC) gazetted the results of the 2024 parliamentary election for the Kpandai Constituency.

Under the electoral laws of Ghana, an election petition must be filed within 21 days of the gazette notification of results.

If the petition is filed outside that period, the court lacks jurisdiction to consider it.

However, the NDC, which was represented in the election by Daniel Nsala Wakpal, argued that the 2024 parliamentary elections presented a special situation.

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According to them, the EC issued two separate gazette notices in respect of the parliamentary results, one on December 24, 2024, and another on January 6, 2025.

Despite arguing this point, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the NPP's Matthew Nyindam in the divisive case.

Speaking after the court delivered its verdict, the politician expressed his gratitude to the judges for upholding his application.

"Kpandai rerun quashed: I thank the Supreme Court judges for their ruling because it's clear that some people were seeking to overturn the will of the people of Kpandai," he said.

Meanwhile, the Majority Chief Whip and MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafamekpor, told reporters that the party would review the court's decision to decide on its next course of action.

High Court dismisses Suhum election petition

YEN.com,gh also previously reported that the Koforidua High Court had dismissed the election petition against Suhum Member of Parliament, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, affirming his victory as valid and lawful.

The petition, filed by former MP Kwadjo Asante, was rejected for lacking credible evidence of electoral irregularities, with the court awarding GH¢200,000 in costs against Asante, who contested independently.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh