Supreme Court Cancels Kpandai Rerun, Upholds Mathew Nyindam as MP
Supreme Court has overturned the Tamale High Court’s ruling that nullified the Kpandai parliamentary election results. In a 4–1 decision, the court ruled the petition was filed out of time, canceling the rerun and upholding NPP’s Mathew Nyindam as MP.
Ghana’s political and legal space has been shaken again after the Supreme Court, in a 4–1 majority decision delivered today, overturned the ruling of the Tamale High Court which had earlier nullified the parliamentary election results for the Kpandai Constituency.
This decision means one clear thing: there will be NO parliamentary rerun in Kpandai.
What Led to This Supreme Court Decision?
The issue started when the defeated NDC parliamentary candidate filed an election petition at the Tamale High Court challenging the results.
The High Court accepted the case and ruled to cancel the election outcome, creating expectations of a rerun in Kpandai.
However, the Supreme Court has now ruled that the Tamale High Court had no jurisdiction to hear the case because the petition was filed outside the mandatory statutory time limit required by law.
In simple terms, the petition was filed too late, and the court said election petitions must follow strict timelines.
NPP Legal Team Wins the Review
This Supreme Court ruling follows a judicial review application filed by Lawyer Gary Nimako, the Director of Legal Affairs for the NPP, who challenged the High Court’s decision.
The apex court agreed with the NPP’s argument, resulting in the High Court ruling being quashed.
No Rerun, Nyindam’s Victory Stands
With today’s ruling, the Supreme Court has effectively upheld the election of NPP’s Mathew Nyindam as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Kpandai.
Supporters of the NPP in the constituency have welcomed the ruling with excitement, while political watchers expect the NDC to respond strongly in the coming hours.
For now, one thing is certain: Kpandai will not go for any rerun.
