The Electoral Commission on Friday, 4 November suffered another defeat as High Court Judge, Justice Kyei Baffour, dismissed a motion filed by the election management body at the same court seeking him to recuse himself from hearing a case between the National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Electoral Commission, similar to an earlier case he had ruled upon between the Progressive People’s Party and the EC.
The EC had requested the replacement of Justice Baffour in the case in which the NDP is challenging the decision by the election management body to disqualify its flag bearer, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, from contesting in the December 7 elections due to errors on her nomination forms.
Justice Baffour had earlier delivered a ruling on a similar case in which he ordered the EC to allow the flag bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, who was also disqualified by the EC, to make the necessary corrections on his nomination forms so he could take part in the race.
Lead Counsel for the EC, Mr Thaddeus Sory, argued that Justice Baffour was passionate in delivering his judgment in the PPP case and so since the NDP case against the EC was similar to the case between the EC and the PPP, there will be an element of bias, hence the EC’s call for him to recuse himself from the case.
However, lawyers for the NDP flag bearer, led by Ace Ankomah, also argued that the position of the EC lawyers was legally untenable.
After listening to both arguments, Justice Baffour dismissed the argument of the EC lawyers.
Hearing of the substantive matter has been adjourned to Monday, 7 November.
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
