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21.04.2007 General News

Appeals court overturns Mion case

21.04.2007 LISTEN
By myjoyonline

An Appeal court has overturned ruling by a Tamale high court which nullified the results of the Parliamentary election in Mion constituency in the northern region.

The High Court presided over by Justice Victor Dogah ruled in November 2005 that the Electoral Commission did not supervise the Mion constituency parliamentary election properly, an act, which affected the integrity of the results.

The NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Mahama Negin Kwasi Samuel, challenged the final result after he lost by a difference of 262 votes. Mr. Negin argued that some 361 constituents did not vote due to shortage of ballot papers.

But the Appeals Court on Friday overturned the ruling.
The court, presided over by Mr. Justice A. Asare-Korang, with Mr. Justice E. K. Piesare and Mr. Justice R. K. Apaloo as members ruled that the irregularities at one out of 68 other polling stations could not be stretched to nullify the election.

Parliament could have been headed for a record seven by-elections in this term had the appeal court ruled in favor of the NPP candidate.

The MP for Mion, Mr Alhassan Ahmed Yakubu told Joy News that he is happy that a protracted battle has come to an end.

“I feel elated. I feel I have reached the end of a long journey and I have got some time to rest. I am more happy for my constituents who have been uncertain for 28 months because of this petition in the court,” he said.

Mr Yakubu said it has not been easy because he spent most of his time on the case to ensure that he wins.

“Unlike the other MPs who apportion their time into two halves…I had to divide my time into three portions – one portion in court, the other in the constituency and the other in the chamber. I am satisfied so far of my performance generally,” he noted.

He said now that he is done with his legal battle “the opportunity is even better than before” to win the 2008 Parliamentary elections.

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