The legal representatives of Haruna Appau Wiredu, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Fanteakwa North, have issued a stern warning to the Clerk of Parliament, urging him to uphold the rule of law and refrain from being manipulated by the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) in what they describe as illegal activities. This follows the EC’s controversial redeclaration of the Fanteakwa North Parliamentary election results in Tesano on December 12, a decision that has been challenged by the NDC candidate’s legal team through a judicial review application filed at the High Court in Koforidua.
The core of the legal team’s argument centers on the legitimacy of Haruna Appau Wiredu’s election victory, as initially declared by the EC’s Returning Officer for the constituency. They contend that any subsequent declaration naming a different individual as the winner is unlawful and should be disregarded by the Clerk of Parliament. They insist that only documents bearing the name of Haruna Appau Wiredu as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa North should be recognized. This firm stance reflects their unwavering belief that their client is the rightful winner of the election and that any attempt to install another candidate is a blatant violation of the electoral process.
Isaac Mintah Larbi, counsel for Haruna Appau Wiredu, has specifically cautioned the Clerk of Parliament against allowing the individual declared winner in the redeclaration to enter Ghana’s legislature. This warning underscores the legal team’s commitment to preventing what they perceive as an illegitimate assumption of office. They argue that permitting such an individual to occupy the parliamentary seat would not only disenfranchise the voters of Fanteakwa North but also undermine the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
The legal team has accused the EC of engaging in illegal activities and warned the Clerk of Parliament against becoming complicit in these actions. They emphasize that adherence to the rule of law is paramount and that the Clerk has a responsibility to ensure that only legally elected representatives are admitted to Parliament. This appeal to the Clerk’s sense of duty underlines the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences of disregarding the lawful outcome of the election.
The lawyers’ contention is that the EC’s actions constitute an illegality perpetrated against the people of Ghana, particularly the constituents of Fanteakwa North. They argue that the EC’s redeclaration disregards the initial declaration made by the Returning Officer, who, according to established procedures, is the authorized official to announce election results at the constituency level. This, they claim, throws the entire electoral process into disrepute and creates a dangerous precedent for future elections.
The legal team’s unequivocal demand is that the Clerk of Parliament ignore any documentation presented that names anyone other than Haruna Appau Wiredu as the MP-elect for Fanteakwa North. This demand serves as a clear indication of their resolve to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that their client’s electoral victory is upheld. They maintain that accepting any other candidate would be tantamount to condoning the EC’s alleged illegal actions and undermining the principles of democracy and fairness. This unwavering commitment to their client’s cause underscores their belief in the importance of upholding the sanctity of the electoral process and protecting the will of the people. They argue that allowing the EC’s redeclaration to stand would set a dangerous precedent, potentially jeopardizing future elections and eroding public trust in Ghana’s democratic institutions. Their call to the Clerk of Parliament represents a critical juncture in the ongoing legal battle, with the outcome having significant implications for the representation of Fanteakwa North and the broader landscape of electoral integrity in Ghana.
