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Oliver Barker-Vormawor Slams EC’s ”Hasty and Flawed” Handling of Disputed 2024 Results
Private legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor has voiced strong concerns about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) approach to resolving disputes from the 2024 parliamentary elections, describing its actions as “hasty” and “procedurally flawed.”
His critique comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on Thursday, December 26, 2024, to nullify recollation results for the Tema Central, Ablekuma North, Techiman South, and Okaikwei Central constituencies.
Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, December 28, Barker-Vormawor questioned the EC’s urgency in recollating disputed results, calling it a move that undermines judicial processes.
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“We don’t understand the rush, a rush that not only seems unnecessary but also offends law and procedure. You cannot disrespect the courts when there’s a pending application to stay; you can’t take any action,” he asserted.
He criticised the EC for filing an affidavit opposing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidates’ mandamus application while simultaneously proceeding to gazette the recollated results for the affected constituencies.
“These series of actions, for me, are something we need to look at. The liberty that the Electoral Commission continues to give itself in undermining judicial processes is really concerning, especially when trust in it is consistently low,” he remarked.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling, emphasised that the trial judge had violated the NDC parliamentary candidates’ right to a fair hearing. While the court invalidated the recollated results, it clarified that the decision does not affect the results for Ahafo Ano North and Nsawam Adoagyiri constituencies.
The apex court also kept the mandamus application active, ordering it to be heard by a new judge at the High Court on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Barker-Vormawor’s comments echo broader concerns about the EC’s transparency and adherence to due process in managing electoral disputes.
“The EC’s actions in this instance have not only been procedurally flawed but also reflect a disregard for judicial authority, which erodes public confidence in its role as a neutral arbiter of electoral outcomes,” he noted.
As the legal battles over the 2024 parliamentary elections continue, Barker-Vormawor’s critique has added to calls for greater accountability and adherence to judicial processes by the EC.
