The Supreme Court has stepped into the Kpandai parliamentary election dispute, ordering the Electoral Commission (EC) to halt all preparations for a rerun election until a judicial review application before it is finally determined.
The directive followed a ruling on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in which the court found that the NPP parliamentary candidate, Matthew Nyindam, had made a strong preliminary case challenging the Tamale High Court’s decision to annul his 2024 election victory.
Nyindam is seeking to overturn the High Court judgment delivered on November 24, 2025, which was issued after the NDC candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, successfully petitioned the court. The annulment prompted the EC to announce its intention to organize a fresh election in the constituency.
During proceedings, counsel for the applicant, Gary Nimako Marfo, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the NDC candidate had not been served with the judicial review application. He therefore requested permission for substituted service.
After lengthy exchanges, the five-member Supreme Court panel granted the request and outlined multiple modes of service, including posting at the respondent’s residence, posting on court notice boards in Tamale and Kpandai, and service via WhatsApp. The court ruled that service would be considered effective after seven days.
In a key development, the court directed the EC, represented by Justin Amenuvor, to immediately suspend all election-related arrangements until the matter is fully heard and determined.
The dispute centres on jurisdictional issues, with Nyindam arguing that the High Court lacked authority to hear the petition because it was filed outside the constitutionally mandated 21-day period. According to the applicant, the parliamentary results were gazetted on December 24, 2024, but the petition was filed on January 25, 2025, making it statute-barred.
The Supreme Court’s order preserves the status quo as it prepares to rule on the legality of the High Court’s decision. The case has been adjourned to January 13, 2026.
