Ernest Yaw Kumi; Ghanaian MP whose election results battle ended in Supreme Court

 

Ghana’s 2024 elections was one of the crucial elections the Western part of the Africa country has had since independence.

The elections held on 7 December ended with many dramatic scenes and controversies from some of the constituencies.

One of the constituencies that witnessed back and forth was Akwatia in the Eastern Region.

Akwatia Parliamentary results faced a contentious and disputed electoral process.

The constituency is a stronghold of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) but the Parliamentary results in the 2024 elections were not as easy as some political actors presumed.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate Ernest Yaw Kumi secured 19,269 votes, while his main opponent Henry Yiadom Boakye on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC)  had 17,206 votes.

But the NDC accused the NPP and the Electoral Commission (EC) of rigging the elections.

The disputes surrounding the Parliamentary results which ended in the Supreme Court came after the supporters of the NDC raised concerns about lack of credibility, free and fair election results.

The NDC petitioned the Koforidua High Court to challenge the election results.

The court ruled in favour of the NDC and convicted the then Member of Parliament- elect of contempt after Mr. Ernest Yaw Kumi defied interim injunction that barred him from swearing in as the Member of Parliament and failed to appear before the court.

The Koforidua High Court subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The Member of Parliament through his legal Council, Gary Nimako Marfo filed a certificate and prohibition application at the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling of the Koforidua High Court.

The Supreme Court accepted their application and overturned the High Court ruling in a 4–1 majority judgement presided over by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang.

Per the Supreme Court ruling, Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi could exercise his duties as a Member of Parliament and his contempt conviction was ruled out.

Six months after the elections, Ernest Yaw Kumi passe.d away and joined his ancestors.

He die.d on Monday, 7th July, 2024 at the age of 40.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net