The Deputy Director of Elections and IT of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, has stated that no action can be taken on the proposed parliamentary re-run in the Kpandai Constituency until January 13, following a ruling by the Supreme Court.
Speaking on Adekyee Mu Nsem, the morning show on Ahotor FM 93.3 hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu, Dr. Tanko explained that the Supreme Court’s ruling has effectively placed the re-run on hold, leaving the Electoral Commission with no legal authority to proceed with any fresh election in the constituency at this time.
According to him, there was no basis for jubilation by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or its Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, as the ruling was explicit in suspending the decision to conduct the re-run pending further orders from the court.
Dr. Tanko stressed that the people of Kpandai must continue to be duly represented in Parliament. He clarified that until the Supreme Court authorizes a re-run, the sitting Member of Parliament remains the legitimate representative of the constituency and is entitled to attend and fully participate in parliamentary proceedings.
He further emphasized that the Kpandai Constituency does not belong to the NPP or any political party but to the people of Kpandai, who are constitutionally entitled to representation in Parliament.
Dr. Tanko added that comments made by Mr. Afenyo-Markin or any other individuals carry no legal force, insisting that only the Supreme Court’s ruling is binding and authoritative until further directions are issued.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the anticipated parliamentary re-run in the Kpandai Constituency, which had been scheduled for December 30.
The decision followed a successful application by the former NPP Member of Parliament for the area, Matthew Nyindam, who is challenging the annulment of the 2024 parliamentary election.
The Supreme Court has adjourned the substantive matter to January 13, 2026, confirming that the electoral process will remain on hold until the legal issues surrounding the seat are fully resolved.
Speaking to the media after the court proceedings on Tuesday, December 16, private legal practitioner and former Minister for Information, Fati Abubakar, who is part of the applicant’s legal team, welcomed the suspension, describing it as a necessary step to safeguard the integrity of the judicial process.
Ms. Abubakar explained that the application for suspension was deliberately filed to prevent premature electoral activities while the substantive legal challenge remains unresolved.
“The applicant specifically prayed for the suspension of the process pending the hearing of the substantive matter, and this was clearly stated in the supplementary affidavit served on the honourable court. We are therefore grateful to the court,” she stated.
She warned that allowing the re-run to proceed before a final determination on the legality of the annulment could prejudice the court’s decision.
“It is in the interest of justice that where a legal issue remains unresolved and finality has not been reached, no steps are taken that could force the hand of the court or render its eventual decision nugatory,” she added.
In a key procedural development, the Supreme Court granted the applicant’s request for substituted service to formally notify the NDC parliamentary candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, who is the first interested party in the case.
The court directed that service be effected through multiple channels to ensure proper notification:
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Via WhatsApp to the NDC parliamentary candidate
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Posting on the notice board at the Supreme Court
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Posting at the candidate’s residence in Kpandai
Ms. Abubakar expressed appreciation to the court for its cooperation and confirmed that the legal team is prepared to argue the substantive case when proceedings resume early next year.
The suspension of the Kpandai re-run means the seat will remain unresolved until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict on whether the original 2024 parliamentary election should stand or whether a fresh contest must be conducted.
Background
Matthew Nyindam, the disputed Member of Parliament, has asked the Supreme Court to review and quash the High Court’s judgment ordering a re-run, arguing that the High Court wrongly assumed jurisdiction in the election petition.
The petition was filed by the NDC’s parliamentary candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, who challenged the outcome of the 2024 parliamentary elections.
According to Mr. Nyindam, the election petition was fundamentally defective from the outset, rendering all subsequent proceedings null and void.
He contends that the High Court acted outside its legal mandate and committed fundamental errors, thereby justifying the Supreme Court’s intervention through judicial review.
Following the High Court’s decision to annul the election, the NPP applied for a stay of execution to halt any steps by the Electoral Commission and the NDC to enforce the ruling, including the conduct of a re-run, pending the Supreme Court’s determination of the case.
The Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the re-run preserves the status quo while it considers the substantive legal issues raised in the matter.
Story By: Andy Koranteng