Court to hear disputed Offinso North Parliamentary poll results

Kumasi, June 23, GNA - A Kumasi High Court is to hear the case in which the defeated parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Election 2004 in the Offinso North Constituency, Mr Kwadwo Appiah-Kubi, is challenging the poll results declared by the Electoral Commission (EC).

Mr Appiah-Kubi has filed a petition seeking among other things an order of the court for total recount of the votes cast and that upon proper count of the ballots be declared the winner. Lawyers from Gaskia Chambers in Kumasi, representing the petitioner, have served notice requesting the court to set down for the trial on Monday, June 27. The EC and Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Member of Parliament (MP) for Offinso North, have been cited as the respondents.

Issues to be determined by the court include whether rejected ballots in some polling stations were valid and lawful that ought to be credited to Mr Appiah-Kubi. It would also consider whether or not the Electoral Officer, Mr Kwame Poku, committed fraud in relation to Polling Station Number F283001 where the figure of 504 votes changed to 564 votes after all party agents had signed the results sheets. The court would determine whether the Returning Officer lied to one Mr Duodu, an NDC activist, that the petitioner had conceded defeat to get him to sign the final results declaration form. It will also look into the legality or otherwise of the signing of the final results declaration form by Mr Duodo without authorisation.

The EC declared Dr Apraku winner of the poll with 13,389 votes whilst Mr Appiah-Kubi received 12,999 votes.