The Supreme Court has overturned a decision by the Tamale High Court that annulled the results of the 2024 parliamentary election in the Kpandai Constituency, effectively bringing an end to plans for a rerun of the poll.
In a majority decision of 4–1 delivered on Tuesday, the apex court held that the Tamale High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the election petition brought by the defeated National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate. According to the Supreme Court, the petition was filed outside the mandatory statutory time limit prescribed by law, rendering the High Court’s proceedings invalid.
The decision followed a judicial review application for certiorari filed by Lawyer Gary Nimako, Director of Legal Affairs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on behalf of the party’s parliamentary candidate, Matthew Nyindam.
As a result of the ruling, the Electoral Commission’s planned parliamentary rerun in the Kpandai Constituency will no longer take place. The Supreme Court’s judgment effectively affirms the election of Mr Nyindam as the duly elected Member of Parliament for the constituency.
The panel of five justices was presided over by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, who dissented. The majority decision was supported by Justices Yonny Kulendi, Amadu Tanko, Samuel Asiedu, and Henry Kwofie.
In granting the application for certiorari, the Supreme Court set aside the earlier judgment of the Tamale High Court, which had nullified the election results and ordered a fresh poll. The court agreed with the applicant that the High Court acted without the requisite jurisdiction due to the late filing of the election petition.
The Supreme Court has indicated that the full written reasons for its decision will be released on 6 February 2026.
