The High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Forson Baah Agyapong, has directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to collate results from 62 outstanding polling stations in the Ablekuma North constituency.
The process must be completed, and the winner declared by January 6, 2025.
The ruling follows a mandamus application filed by Nana Owusu Afriyie, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, who argued that the EC’s failure to complete the collation violated its constitutional obligations.
Background
Out of 281 polling stations in the constituency, results from 219 polling stations were collated and declared in favor of Ewurabena Augunn, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate and an interested party in the case.
 However, disruptions occurred when collation resumed on December 10, 2024, after votes from 262 polling stations, including special voters, were accounted for.
Supporters of Ms. Augunn allegedly caused chaos at the collation center, prompting security concerns. According to the respondent, the EC declared Ms. Augunn the winner under duress to calm the situation and prevent further unrest.
The applicant, however, contended that the results from the remaining 62 polling stations, with approximately 27,000 votes for the applicant and 28,000 votes for the interested party already recorded, could significantly affect the final outcome.
Court’s Decision
Justice Agyapong ruled that the EC failed to perform its mandatory duty under Regulation 47, which requires the collation of results from all polling stations before declaring a winner.
The court emphasized that a declaration made under duress to ensure safety does not satisfy the principles of electoral integrity and transparency.
The judge granted the following orders:
1. Mandamus: The EC is to collate the results of the 62 outstanding polling stations and declare the final winner.
2. Security Measures: The Inspector General of Police (IGP) is directed to provide adequate armed security to ensure a peaceful collation process.
Legal Representation
For the Applicant (NPP): Gary Nimako Marfo.
For the Interested Party (NDC): Godwin Kudzo Edudzi Tamaklo.
