Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed disappointment over the decision to order a rerun of the parliamentary election in the Kpandai constituency, describing the development as unexpected and troubling.
Speaking during an engagement with party supporters as part of his campaign tour, Dr Bawumia said the ruling raises concerns about fairness and consistency in the application of electoral laws.
He noted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had confidence in its performance in the constituency and believed the initial results reflected the will of the people.
He cited earlier cases involving Dan Abodakpi and Gyakye Quayson, pointing out that Parliament and state institutions allowed the full legal process to run its course before taking action. “Why the rush now?” he questioned.
Dr Bawumia emphasised that Nyindam has filed both an appeal and a judicial review, which remain unresolved. Proceeding with the rerun at this stage, he argued, would “railroad” him and interfere with the ongoing judicial process.
“I think this undermines our institutions of democracy,” he stated. “We should take a halt to these processes and allow him to have his day in court, just as others have been allowed in the past,” he said.
He further criticised what he called a sudden departure from parliamentary precedent, saying the House “has never rushed in this way when it came to cases involving other parties.”
He urged party supporters to remain calm and focused ahead of the rerun, stressing that the NPP would work tirelessly to secure victory once again.
Dr Bawumia also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to peaceful and lawful political engagement.
The Electoral Commission ordered the rerun following challenges raised over aspects of the electoral process in the constituency.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions from political actors and residents, with some calling for clarity to avoid eroding public confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
Party officials say preparations are underway as they await the new date for the election. Meanwhile, political observers note that the rerun could become a key test of party strength in the Northern Region.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia also described the move as hasty and harmful to democratic norms, noting that the handling of the matter risks undermining long-standing democratic principles.
“To say the least, it is very disappointing. What is going on in our country? It is like our tenets of democracy are being undermined,” he said, reacting to the Electoral Commission’s preparations following a High Court ruling that declared the Kpandai seat vacant.
Threats
Bawumia argued that past practice in Ghana’s parliamentary disputes has allowed legal processes to conclude before state institutions intervene.
“The issue of Kpandai with Matthew Nyindam is not a new issue in our democratic politics… basically we’ve had the House allow the court processes to be exhausted before state institutions are stampeded into acting in ways that undermine our democracy,” he said.
He noted that the former MP, Matthew Nyindam, currently has multiple active cases challenging the decision.
“Matthew Nyindam should have had his day in court. He has filed appeal processes at the High Court, he has filed judicial review at the Supreme Court, and none of the cases have been adjudicated. Why the indecent haste?” he asked.
Bawumia called for a pause on all administrative actions until the courts determine the challenges. “I think that we should take a halt to these processes and allow him to have his day in court,” he said.
Background
The Electoral Commission (EC) said on Wednesday it will hold a rerun of the Kpandai Constituency parliamentary election on 30 December, following a High Court ruling ordering the poll within 30 days.
The EC announced the date in a press release, noting that the seat had become vacant after the Clerk to Parliament formally notified the commission of the occurrence of a vacancy.
The rerun will be contested only by the three candidates who stood in the 2024 parliamentary election.
The announcement follows a legal challenge by Daniel Nsala Wakpal, the 2024 National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Kpandai, who filed a contempt suit against EC Chair Jean Mensa.
Wakpal alleged that the commission had failed to comply with the High Court’s 24 November order, describing the delay as “a deliberate disregard for the High Court” and interference with the administration of justice.
The EC’s statement marks a formal compliance with the court order, ending uncertainty over the scheduling of the rerun and setting the stage for political campaigning in the northern constituency.
