Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, the NPP’s Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, described the situation as unacceptable and an embarrassment to Ghana’s democratic process.

“We do not see why it is difficult for the Electoral Commission to complete this exercise. It is not the best. It is a shame that we do not have a Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North,” he lamented.

Mr. Nimako also raised concerns about the lack of accountability for the violence and destruction that disrupted the collation process on December 8, 2024.

“What is intriguing is that on the day of collation, on the 8th of December 2024, some men decided to destroy electoral materials, yet the police have been unable to arrest and conduct investigations to prosecute these people, and that for me is a big shame,” he stated.

The delay stems from unresolved results from three out of the 281 polling stations in the constituency, which have stalled the final declaration.

Both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have since laid claim to victory in what has become one of the most contentious races of the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Tensions escalated on January 8, 2025, when the constituency’s Returning Officer resigned following a standoff over discrepancies in some pink sheets.

Since then, the EC has suspended the collation process seven times, citing security concerns amid mounting confrontations between supporters of the two major parties.

The Commission has maintained that it intends to complete the collation of the remaining polling station results before considering any re-run—a step it describes as a last resort.

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The MP was seen distributing food and water to voters in a queue at the Legon Police Station polling center.

Speaking during an interview on Joy FM‘s Newsnight, Mr Nimako suggested that the matter should be handled by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

“If the Special Prosecutor is going to investigate, let’s leave it to the OSP and avoid prejudicing the process,” he stated on Monday, December 2.

According to him, the NPP is confident in its electoral victory and accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of attempting to provoke confusion.

The allegations surfaced after videos and reports showed the MP handing out bags of food and water at the polling station, sparking unrest and raising questions about voter influence.

• NDC parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, in reaction, condemned the act, calling it a breach of electoral rules.

“Why are you sharing food with people in the queue? Why are you doing that? Does it mean we cannot share food too? We can also share the same, but let’s respect the rules of the Electoral Commission. Don’t share anything with people in the queue who have not voted yet. And you’re sharing food and we don’t even know what’s in the thing, and you’re sharing to people who have not voted yet. What kind of stupidity is this” he quizzed.

The OSP has since launched an investigation into the incident, gathering witness statements and evidence.

Meanwhile, Lydia Alhassan has denied allegations of distributing items to voters at a polling station during the special voting exercise.

• In an interview with

JoyNews

•  addressing the claims, Lydia Alhassan said she was not even at the said polling station when the development reportedly ensued.

“I wasn’t here. I don’t know if you saw me here. I’ve been here since… I came here before 6 am, and I left here a few minutes ago, I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“I am yet to find out from them what happened,” she added.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, he argued that the NDC is continuously shifting its concerns regarding the 2024 Provisional Voters Register and warned that their demands should be approached cautiously.

Mr Nimako voiced frustration over what he described as the NDC’s evolving list of grievances, noting that their initial focus had been on the accuracy of the voters register.

However, at the recent Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, the NDC extended its concerns to the EC’s IT systems.

“They must stop changing the goalposts,” Mr Nimako said emphatically.

“Their major issue was the voter register, and now they are extending it to the IT infrastructure. What is it that they want in the IT system? They now want their IT teams to sit with the EC and go into the system. We have to tread cautiously.”

Mr Nimako took the opportunity to highlight how the NPP has addressed its own concerns about the provisional register, contrasting its approach with that of the NDC.

He explained that the NPP had broken the register down to polling station levels and raised their concerns directly with the EC.

“We, as the New Patriotic Party, took a practical approach,” Mr Nimako stated.

“We broke down the register to polling station levels and raised our concerns accordingly. Our General Secretary even wrote to the EC for an official engagement to discuss those concerns.”

He referenced a recent court ruling in the Manhyia South constituency that ordered the correction of illegally transferred voters as an example of how the system is being scrutinised.

“The courts have stepped in where necessary, such as in the Manhyia South case, where voters’ numbers were ordered to be compared back to their original polling stations,” he added.

While Mr Nimako acknowledged the importance of having a clean voters register, he was sceptical of the NDC’s insistence on delving into the Electoral Commission’s IT infrastructure.

He warned that giving political parties direct access to the IT system could lead to complications.

“Treading cautiously is key. Forensic audits are one thing, but giving political parties direct access to the IT system is a sensitive issue,” Mr Nimako said.

“The NDC has moved from discussing the voter register to now wanting to examine the IT system, but this needs to be carefully managed.”

Mr Nimako also addressed the NDC’s concerns over missing voters, noting that despite the EC’s efforts to resolve the issue, the opposition still disagrees.

He stated that out of the over 1,551 voters whose data was missing from the register, the EC had a plan to rectify the situation by providing a “Missing Voters List” on Election Day.

“The EC has assured us that they know the polling stations and have contact numbers for these voters. If they cannot re-register them, they will still appear on a Missing Voters List,” he explained.

“Despite this, the NDC still disagrees, and for us, it seems like part of their broader strategy to keep raising issues.”

Mr Nimako stated that the NPP is ready for the upcoming elections and urged the EC to release the revised provisional voter register for further examination.

“We’ve heard what was discussed at the IPAC meeting today, and we are ready.

“We are still working towards engaging voters, and we’ve called on the EC to release the revised provisional register so we can continue to examine it,” Nimako stated.

Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s analysis revealed that at the time the NPP knew its ballot position, other candidates sitting close to the NPP had not yet opened their ball-like items containing their positions.

Additionally, the paper in front of Peter Mac Manu, Head of Electoral Services for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, was not the official ballot position paper but rather a paper from an earlier balloting that determined the order in which political parties would select their positions.

Furthermore, key political parties, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have denied any claims of a ballot position swap.

Full Text 

In the lead-up to the general elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has faced intense scrutiny, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) raising multiple accusations of alleged irregularities in the voter registration process.

Despite this, on Sep. 20, 2024, political parties participated in the balloting process to determine their positions on the ballot paper for the upcoming elections.

By the end of the process, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) secured the first spot, while the NDC took the eighth.

However, following the balloting, a claim went viral suggesting that the NPP had swapped its ballot position with another candidate.

The claim was supported by a video showing Evans Nimako, the NPP’s Director of Research and Elections, handing a piece of paper to someone seated next to him.

This action led Facebook user Alfred Ogbamey to claim that a ballot swap had occurred, questioning the integrity of the EC by stating, “Why can’t one blindly trust anything organized by the EC without monitoring?”

The claim was further amplified when NDC Online and Gyabeng Samuel posted about it on Facebook, which has received over 100,000 views. This has sparked widespread condemnation in the comments section, with users labeling the EC and the NPP as corrupt.

In response to these allegations, DUBAWA launched an investigation to verify the authenticity of the claim.

Verification

First, DUBAWA sought to understand the procedures involved in the ballot-picking process to assess whether any swapping could have occurred.

Before the balloting by the various political parties, the Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission (EC), Benjamin Bano-Bioh, outlined a two-stage process. DUBAWA referenced the live feed by Weozor TV, which captured the entire event as published on YouTube.

According to Benjamin Bano-Bioh, the first stage determined the order in which political parties would select their ballot positions, while the second stage was where they officially picked their positions for the election.

Mr. Bano-Bioh explained, “This is the first stage. You are picking for the order. The second stage is when you will pick your position on the ballot. If you pick ‘Number One’ in the first stage, it means you will be the first to choose in the second stage.

The number you pick in this stage will be your position on the ballot.” This statement can be verified between 45 minutes 13 seconds and 45 minutes 30 seconds of the video.

The process was carried out smoothly, with each party receiving a number that determined the order for the final ballot position selection. In the second stage, the ballot papers were placed in a green polythene bag, and parties chose their positions according to the order established in the first stage. This can be seen from 1 hour 46 minutes onward in the video.

Did the NPP swap its ballot position? 

DUBAWA first analyzed the viral video that allegedly showed the NPP swapping its ballot position. To gain a clearer perspective, DUBAWA referred to the full live stream of the event, which was captured by Woezor TV.

According to the footage, the NPP’s Director of Elections, Dr. Evans Nimako, opened the round ball-like item containing the paper with the party’s ballot position at 1 hour 49 minutes 20 seconds into the live stream.

After revealing the position, Dr. Nimako immediately passed the paper to the Head of Electoral Services for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team Peter Mac Manu, who was seated right beside him.

Upon receiving it, Mac Manu smiled, and Dr. Nimako stood up, jubilantly holding a book celebrating that the NPP had secured the Number 1 spot on the ballot.

This moment matched the exact scenario depicted in the viral video published by Facebook user Alfred Ogbamey, though the angle from behind made it hard to discern the details.

There were additional claims that the NPP swapped positions with Kofi Akpaloo, the flagbearer of the LPG, who was seated next to Peter Mac Manu. However, DUBAWA’s analysis of the video showed that when Dr. Nimako opened the NPP’s ballot item, Kofi Akpaloo had just taken his seat and had not yet opened his ballot item. This evidence confirmed that no swap occurred between the NPP and any other candidate.

Reaction from NDC

It is also important to note that if any such swap had occurred, the NDC would have opposed it and demanded an investigation.

However, in response, the NDC’s Director of Elections, Dr. Omane Boamah, refuted the allegations in a Facebook post on Saturday, September 21.

He acknowledged the party’s issues with the Electoral Commission but emphasized that they would not engage in baseless accusations for political gain.

“There was no swap of ballots between Kofi Akpaloo and the NPP,” he confirmed.

Conclusion 

The claim that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) swapped its ballot position during the presidential election balloting process is false. DUBAWA’s investigation revealed that at the time the NPP discovered its position, other candidates, including Kofi Akpaloo of the LPG, had not yet opened their ballot items.

Furthermore, the paper seen in front of Peter Mac Manu, a member of the NPP team, was from an earlier round determining the order of selection, not the final ballot position.

Key political parties, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have also denied the allegations of any ballot position swapping.

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Ahead of Ghana’s general election, political parties picked ballot positions. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) secured the first spot and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the eighth.

After the balloting, rumours surfaced claiming the NPP might have swapped numbers with another candidate.

Addressing this on JoyNews’ Newsfile on September 21, the Director of Elections firmly denied the allegations.

He argued that no presidential candidate would be willing to give up their number spot on the ballot because it would equally give him an added advantage in the December elections.

Mr Nimako argued this concern was baseless and must be regarded as such.

“Presidential candidate for a political party loves New Patriotic Party, our presidential candidate so much that when he had balloted for his position, he would swap?

“I don’t know where this is coming from and we must not at any point entertain such idea and thoughts in our discourse. Not at all. Nothing of that sort happened. I think we must throw that issue into the marine,” he said.

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The NDC has described the current register as “unfit for purpose” and has called for a forensic audit or thorough parliamentary investigation to address what they describe as “incurably defective” anomalies.

The NDC Director of Elections, Dr Edward Omane Boamah has said the EC failed to release the voters’ register on time before the exhibition exercise, a move he believes was deliberate.

Despite this, he says the NDC’s diligence and scrutiny during the exhibition exercise have revealed several issues with the register that, if not resolved, could jeopardize the credibility of the 2024 elections.

But to the NPP Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, some NDC members deliberately want to prove to the flagbearer, John Mahama that they are working.

In an interview on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday, Mr Nimako said such moves are not surprising, adding the NPP is not perturbed.

He stressed that, the NPP will not be distracted by some political gimmicks and will remain focus on working towards their victory in the December 7 election.

“We won’t tow this path the NDC wants to chart. We have our presidential and parliamentary candidates to market and that is our focus. We won’t be distracted in anyway,” he stated.

When asked by sit-in host, Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom if the NPP had no concerns on the register, he said they will soon communicate that to Ghanaians.

“This is a provisional register and not the final for the election. So for we in the NPP, the General Secretary directed polling station agents to thoroughly monitor the process and compile their report and submit. So in due course, we will put all the report together and if we have to make it public, I believe we will do so,” he added.

Source: Gertrude Otchere

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According to the Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, the register is provisional and it is due to such concerns that the exhibition was done.

The NDC Director of Elections, Dr. Omane Boamah, raised concerns over the credibility of the register, accusing the Electoral Commission (EC) of tampering it.

He claimed the current register is “unfit for purpose” and has called for a forensic audit or thorough parliamentary investigation to address what he describes as “incurably defective” anomalies.

He among other things claimed that, their assessment revealed issues such as missing names and unauthorized voter transfers.

But in an interview on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday, Mr Nimako emphasised that, the exercise is designed to allow stakeholders to identify and correct any errors.

“This is only a provisional register which allows room for changes. So when there’s an exhibition, the exercise is simple. It is to enable stakeholders and assist the electoral commission to come out with a register that would be the final register for an election.

“So, at this phase, we are doing an exhibition, so if you go to the exhibition centre and your details are not correct, all that you do is ask for the exhibition officer to give you the appropriate forms, so you feel for the right corrections to be made to your details,” he explained.

In his view, there are due processes the NDC can follow to have their grievances addressed instead of the media outburst.

“If they are there and there are no questions to be made, yes, that’s the detail the EC must keep in the final register. So, when you hear people at this phase crying needlessly, it is really surprising,” Mr. Nimako added.

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Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah secured victory by defeating the biological brother of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, garnering 337 votes.

In an interview with Citi FM, the NPP’s Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, emphasized the importance of unity as the party prepares for the December 7 elections.

He urged all members to come together and rally behind the chosen candidate to ensure success.

“This is a victory for the Manhyia South constituency and we need to work together as a team with one destiny to win the election 2024.”

“Dr. Bawumia will become the president and we will win the Manhyia South constituency and other constituencies to constitute a majority in parliament so that government business will thrive.”

“So we will move away from this 137-137 [members] that makes government business and parliamentary operations difficult.

“And so we know as the New Patriotic Party that we are going to go into the elections and come out victorious and then win the majority of the seats in Parliament.”

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The Deputy General Secretary, Prof Haruna Mohammed has said the NPP does not need the EC to win an election.

The NDC flagbearer, John Mahama criticised the EC’s decision not to allow political party agents to observe the ongoing vote transfer exercise.

In a Facebook post, the former President said the decision points to a collusion with the NPP to rig the election on December 7.

Reacting to the comments on Adom FM’s morning show. Dwaso Nsem Tuesday, Haruna emphasised that  the NPP will always win an election regardless of who is the Electoral Commissioner.

“This is not the first time the NPP will win an election. Mahama was a sitting president yet we defeated him for the first time in the history of Ghana. So we as NPP do not need the help of the Electoral Commission to win any election,” he stated.

According to him, Mr Mahama’s claim is borne out of desperation to be elected President on December 7.

“The former President has not been untruthful to the people of Ghana and he was right when he told us we have short memories because in the past, he asked the NPP not to politicise the EC but now he is making these allegations against the same EC.

“In his desperation to become president, he will say anything because he didn’t back his statement with any law. It was just mere allegation which cannot be proven,” he added.

Meanwhile, despite the NDC’s position that it will not withdraw its agents, the NPP says it will comply with the directive on the voter transfer exercise in order not to interfere with the EC’s plans.

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The Electoral Commission issued a directive seeking to stop political party agents from supervising the votes transfer exercise.

The EC stated that this decision was made in response to several clashes that have transpired at its district offices, aiming to maintain order and security during the process.

However, the NDC has since instructed its party members to ignore the EC’s directive and proceed to various centres to monitor the transfer of votes.

The NDC argues that this EC directive could potentially facilitate gerrymandering through unlawful voter transfers, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

But Mr Nimako, asserts that the NDC’s refusal to adhere to the directive could be a potential problem.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on June 3, he explained that the EC was dedicated to ensuring that electoral processes were smooth and transparent and would therefore eliminate anything that might hinder that process.

Therefore, all parties adhering to this directive is a good call.

He explained that over the years the NPP has legitimately captured political power hence the NDC claim that the EC wanted engage in gerrymandering to favour the party was false.

“We have won elections over the years irrespective of who sat there as the returning officer or the EC official. We have won elections. It is not who sits there or the noise that the NDC will be making but what is that Act saying. If it allows parties to have their agents at this place, New Patriotic Party will have their agents.

“If you begin to be physical, if you begin to attack and create unnecessary tension and confusion, why do we allow that? And so we would have loved a situation where under the circumstance we could have said that if an agent is creating the problem can we then substitute but the posture of NDC is really disturbing and we must all look at it and address it head on,” he told host, Samuel Kojo Brace.

He argued that C.I.127 does not allow agents at registration centres, but following an Inter-Party Advisory Committee meeting, a decision was reached to allow various political party agents to observe the elections.

Mr Nimako argued that if the EC now feels it is problematic, it is only right that all parties adhere to the directive.

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According to him, creating unnecessary tension over the situation will only serve to destabilize the country’s electoral system and democratic process.

His comments follow the Electoral Commission’s confirmation that about five laptops have been stolen from its stores. It came after rumours of alleged theft of biometric verification devices (BVDs) after the 2023 district-level elections.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM show on May 8, he stated that “we should not create unnecessary in this whole exercise. The issue of missing BVD and BVR that the NDC was confusing it initially until IPAC cleared it that it is a portion of the BVR kits, which is the computer that has been stolen and has been reported.

“They had earlier put forward the issue that it was BVD that was missing, but some things have been stolen at the EC office. EC has reported the issue to the police. Let all those who have information assist with the investigations so we can move on,” he noted.

Mr Nimako expressed concern about an incident in the ongoing new voter’s registration exercise where someone registered in Kasoa, Central Region, but received an ID indicating they were from Ayawaso North in the Greater Accra Region.

He stressed that, the Electoral Commission must provide explanations for such discrepancies.

“It will all be part of the questions that we would have to put to the EC to let us know how they have done their codes so that this whole issue of a mix-up would be addressed,” he stated.

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According to him, although the elections were highly competitive it was free and fair from electoral violence, for which reason all the aspirants accepted the outcome.

Speaking to Joy News, he said “If you look at the efforts put in by our candidates …it tells you that the NPP is formidable and I must say that they have all accepted that the conduct of this exercise has been free, fair and transparent.”

When asked if he was surprised about the votes garnered by a known non-conformist, Kennedy Agyapong, he said “ it is an endorsement of the NPP philosophy, democracy. It was an endorsement of the party’s attitude and posture, nature, and scope. We believe in participation and views of our rank and file. That we do not impose our opinions on people and people must have the free will to express themselves.”

He stressed that  the most important thing was that “at the end of the day, the party has spoken that our presidential candidate is Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.”

Mr Nimako added that overall, the “NPP is happy, and “democracy has won.”

The New Patriotic Party on Saturday, November 4, elected the sitting Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as its new leader and flagbearer for the upcoming 2024 presidential elections.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia emerged victorious with 61.47% in the NPP primaries, securing the party’s nomination for the race to the presidency.

The certified results announced by a deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission, Dr Serebour Quaicoe, disclosed that Dr Bawumia polled 118, 210 votes representing 61.47%, while his closest contender Kennedy Agyapong, polled 71,996 votes representing 37.41%.

Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who placed a distant third polled 1,459 votes representing 0.76%, while Addai-Nimoh managed only 731 votes representing 0.41%.

In all, 192,446 delegates voted in Saturday’s presidential primary, with total valid votes being 193, 346. 900 votes were rejected, and turnout stood at 94.63%.

Dr. Bawumia’s journey to become the governing party’s flagbearer was not without intense competition and political drama, including a strong challenge from Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, and the fallout from the Super Delegates’ Conference.

According to him, given the status of Mr Kyerematen in the NPP, he will inform the party about such a decision.

The Ghanaian Times newspaper reported on Monday that Mr Kyerematen is exploring the idea to partner­ CPP’s Ivor Kobina Greenstreet for the 2024 general elections.

The newspaper claimed the former Minister for Trade and Industry has initiated talks with the two-time CPP flagbearer for a possible alliance.

Reacting to the report on Adom FM Dwaso Nsem, Mr Nimako said the Alan-Greenstreet alliance is mere fabrication.

“When Alan wanted to withdraw from the presidential race, there was an official communication, so if this is true, I expect the same,” he said.

In Mr Nimako’s view, the report was a diversionary tactic ahead of the NPP presidential primary on November 4.

“When we are going forward, some people want to draw us back. So far as I am concerned, we have engaged the Electoral Commission, and we are putting in place arrangements all stakeholders will appreciate on November 4. So these claims are neither here nor there for the NPP,” he noted.

Meanwhile, CPP has also debunked the reports.

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Though NPP supporters, especially in the constituency, are incensed at the lawmaker over her prolonged absence from parliamentary duties, he urged them to exercise restraint.

In Mr. Nimako’s view, the party must focus on the greater task ahead, which is the 2024 election, instead of issues that may derail it.

The embattled MP on Thursday rendered an unqualified apology to the NPP for her absence from parliamentary duties.

In a video posted on Facebook, she apologised to President Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, the Chief of Staff, parliamentary leadership, the party, her constituents, and sympathisers.

She explained that, these emotions were fueled by the complex personal challenges she was facing in her private life.

Reacting to Adwoa Safo’s apology, Mr Nimako on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen said it was a step in the right direction.

However, he said that the apology should restore calm in the constituency and the party at large.

“Even in marriage, not every issue between a husband and wife comes out, so we can’t talk too much about it or wash our dirty linens outside. We can’t drag this issue forever. She went and has come back, so we should accept it” he said.

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He said the Assin North bye-election results cannot be used to project what will transpire in the 2024 general election.

“They have retained their seat. It doesn’t amount to a rejection of the NPP. We have large numbers to win election 2024 and you can’t use this to predict election 2024,” he said on Accra-based 3FM.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his post-election statement to the NPP told party members to keep their heads up, recognizing that, in a democracy, there are winners and losers, and that “we live to fight another day.”

In his statement, he said that Ghana’s democratic credentials were strengthened even further following peaceful and credible elections in the Assin North bye-election.

National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s James Gyakye Quayson beat NPP’s Charles Opoku and Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) to reclaim the seat.

Mr Quayson polled 17,245 votes as against his closest contender, Mr Opoku who polled 12, 630 votes.

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In Mr. Nimako’s view, the decision by the apex court is a vindication of the party’s long-held position that Mr Gyakye Quayson was not qualified to be a Member of Parliament since he had dual citizenship prior the the polls.

The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision on Wednesday, May 17, ordered Parliament to expunge the name of James Gyakye Quayson from its records as a Member of Parliament for the Assin North constituency.

This follows a judgment of the apex court upholding an application invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the election of James Gyakye Quayson.

Speaking to Citi News‘ Court correspondent, Hanson Agyemang, the Director of Elections for the NPP, Evans Nimako, said the Supreme Court has vindicated the position of the NPP.

He added that the party will meet its legal team and decide on the next line of action.

He added that the NPP is ready for a by-election in Assin North if the Electoral Commission commences processes for same.

“We have always held the position that he [Mr. Quayson] was not qualified, and the Supreme Court has said so. We will meet our lawyers and decide our next line of action.”

Lawyer for the plaintiff, Frank Davies after the court hearing also expressed appreciation indicating that the orders of the court are in line with upholding the sanctity of the constitution.

Background

In November 2020, a group calling itself ‘Concerned Citizens of Assin North petitioned the Electoral Commission in the Central Region to withdraw the candidature of Mr. Quayson, arguing that he owes allegiance to Canada.

James Gyakye Quayson, who stood on the tick of the National Democratic Congress as its parliamentary candidate in the Assin North constituency for the 2020 polls got 17,498 votes representing (55.21%) while Abena Durowaa Mensah, the New Patriotic Party’s candidate had 14,193 representing (44.79%).

Michael Ankomah-Nimfa, a teacher and resident of Yamoransa in the Central Region, subsequently filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court after the election seeking to annul the declaration of Mr. Quayson as the MP Assin North.

The Cape Coast High Court in the Central Region upheld Mr. Akomah-Ninfa’s request and declared the 2020 parliamentary election held in the Assin North Constituency as null and void because Mr Quayson breached the provisions of the constitution with regard to dual citizenship.

Mr. Quayson subsequently appealed the judgment, at the Court of Appeal in Cape Coast.

Article 94 (2) says a person shall not be qualified to be a member of Parliament if he owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana.

The matter later was sent to the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court dismisses Assin North MP’s application for Article 94 interpretation

The Supreme Court in March 2020 unanimously dismissed an application filed by James Gyakye Quayson to quash a decision of the Court of Appeal not to refer article 94 (2) (a) to the Supreme Court for interpretation.

The five-member panel, also dismissed by a majority decision of 3-2, another application from Mr. Quayson for a stay of appeal proceedings at the Appellate Court and for referral of Article 94 (2) (a) of the 1992 Constitution to the Supreme Court for interpretation.

The panel at the time was composed of Justices Gabriel Pwamang as President, Agnes Dordzie, Gertrude Torkornoo, Clemence Honyenuga, and Yonny Kulendi.

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