Court Nullifies Ayawaso Election Results

As if following in the footsteps of the British High Court's ruling in quashing the results of the Winchester election of 1st May 1997, Ghana also found itself in a similar position with the High Court quashing the general election results of 8th December 1996. An appeal is pending, and in respect of respect the contempt laws of Ghana, our legal team defers comments on the case until the final determination of the appeal.. For now, NANA OTUO ACHEAMPONG summarises the court's decision which has been variously described as historic, bold and good for democracy.

(Photo: Mrs Rebecca Adotey - MP no. 25)

On Monday 15th December 1997, an Accra High Court presided over by Mrs Justice Agnes Dordzie, quashed the election results declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) on 8th December 1996 for the Ayawaso West-Wuogon constituency in the Greater Accra Region. The Court further quashed the notice in the Gazette of 19th December 1996 of the name of Mrs. Rebecca Akwetey Adotey, NDC Parliamentary candidate for the constituency who was declared winner at the said parliamentary elections in the constituency. Thirdly, the court issued an order of mandamus compelling the Electoral Commission to assemble, collect and collate the results of all polling stations and the correct total votes for each candidate who contested in the parliamentary election at that constituency on 7th December 1996. Fourthly, the court ordered the EC to publish the name of the person elected for the constituency together with the total number of votes for each candidate with 14 days of the ruling.

The EC have filed an appeal and Solicitors for Mrs Rebecca Adotey, have also filed an application for stay of execution pending an appeal.