Bernard Mornard VS EC Case: Judge Orders EC to Hold on With Printing of Ballot Papers Until Determination of Case
The Accra High Court, presided by Justice Richard Apietu on Wednesday advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to hold on with the Printing of the Presidential Ballot Papers pending the determination of the Disqualification suit (Bernard Mornah Vs EC) before him.
His ruling followed the inability of Lawyers of EC to prove beyond reasonable doubt that there were duplication of signatures on the nominations of Mr. Bernard Mornah.
Lawyers for the EC led by Justin Amenuvor argued that there were duplication of signatures in the forms making it a criminal offence but Lawyers for Mr. Bernard Mornah led by Harold Atugubah deflated the argument by Justin Amenuvor insisting that the EC is not a forensic expert to determine whether or not signatures looking alike meant duplication adding that it is the Police that has the sole mandate to determine that, questioning why the EC failed to report the issue to the Police if they indeed meant their argument.
Lawyer Atuguba also cited bad faith on the part of the EC saying the EC failed the audi alteram partem rule of fair hearing.
Justice Appietu, convinced with the argument of Lawyers for Bernard Mornah ordered Lawyers for the EC to produce the original forms and pages based on which they (the EC) disqualified Mr. Bernard Mornah.
Justin Amenuvor failed to produce the documents but assured the Judge to make the documents available to him in two hours time.
Lawyer Atuguba interjected and drew the attention of the Judge that the EC is going ahead with the printing of ballot papers without recourse to this case putting his client at a disadvantaged position.
The Judge then advised the EC to hold on with the printing of the presidential ballot papers pending the determination of the case and adjourned the case to Monday October 21, 2024 for final ruling.
Source:newsflashafrica.com
