In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Ghana has overturned the Tamale High Court’s judgment that had previously annulled the Kpandai parliamentary election result.
The ruling restores the legitimacy of the declared winner, Matthew Nyindam. The decision was taken by a majority of four to one, with Justice Gabriel Pwamang dissenting.
The case originated after the Tamale High Court annulled the election, citing alleged irregularities in the voting process. The decision had sparked widespread debate, with political parties and constituents closely monitoring the legal developments.
Upon review, the Supreme Court found that the High Court’s annulment lacked sufficient legal and evidential basis, affirming that the election had been conducted in accordance with the Electoral Commission’s regulations.
The apex court emphasised the importance of upholding democratic processes and the need for clear evidence before overturning an election outcome.
The Kpandai parliamentary rerun has been the subject of intense legal contention following disagreements arising from the constituency’s parliamentary election, leading to the Supreme Court’s intervention.
The Tamale High Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Brew Plange, on November 24, 2025, nullified the Kpandai parliamentary election results on grounds of “widespread irregularities” and directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct a re-run within 30 days.
Gary Nimako Marfo, Counsel for Mr Matthew Nyindam, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate, argued that the High Court judge committed a jurisdictional error by assuming jurisdiction to hear the election petition filed by the first interested party on January 25, 2025.
He said the election results in question were gazetted by the EC on December 24, 2024.
It said Article 99(1) of the 1992 Constitution conferred jurisdiction on the High Court to hear parliamentary election petitions only when such petitions were filed within 21 days after the gazetting of the official results.
Nimako Marfo submitted that the petition filed by Daniel Wakpal, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate, on January 25, 2025, was filed out of time.
