Samuel Apea-Danquah, the founder and leader of Yellow Ghana, has taken legal action against the Electoral Commission (EC) after being disqualified from contesting in the 2024 presidential election. His lawyer, Martin Kpebu, filed an application for an interlocutory injunction at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, asking the court to prevent the EC from engaging in any election-related activities.
The 2024 presidential election in Ghana has been fraught with controversy, as the Electoral Commission (EC) disqualified 11 out of the 24 individuals who submitted their nominations to run. Among those disqualified is Samuel Apea-Danquah, leader of the independent political group Yellow Ghana. Disqualifications by the EC often result from errors or incomplete documents, which can be legally challenged by the affected candidates. With the election slated for December 2024, these legal battles could disrupt the electoral process and raise concerns about its fairness and transparency.
The documents reveal that the injunction seeks to stop the EC from “printing the notice of poll and ballot papers, holding meetings with candidates it has deemed qualified, or engaging in any election-related activities that prejudice or undermine the rights and legal interests of the Applicant/Applicant and other disqualified candidates pending the final determination of the Applicant/Applicant’s substantive suit.”
The case is scheduled to be heard on October 28, 2024.This marks Mr. Apea-Danquah’s second legal action against the EC. In a previous lawsuit filed on October 10, he requested a court order of certiorari to overturn his disqualification. He is also seeking a mandamus order to compel the EC to restore him as a valid presidential candidate.
Mr. Apea-Danquah is joined by two other disqualified aspirants who have also taken legal action against the EC, accusing the Jean Mensa-led Commission of not providing sufficient explanations for their disqualification. All three are determined to challenge the EC in court to promote transparency in the electoral process.
Source: Ghana/Starfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng
