Bawumia: Kpandai Rerun Undermines Ghana’s Democratic Integrity
Bawumia criticises the NDC government for rushing the Kpandai election rerun despite pending legal appeals
- Bawumia says the Kpandai rerun threatens Ghana’s democratic integrity
- He notes pending appeals and judicial reviews for Matthew Nyindam have not been resolved
- Bawumia urges state institutions to apply rules fairly and follow parliamentary precedent
NPP flagbearer hopeful Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has criticised the NDC government for what he describes as “indecent haste” in handling the Kpandai parliamentary rerun, warning that the approach threatens the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
Reacting to the Electoral Commission’s announcement that the Kpandai parliamentary election rerun will be held on December 30, following a High Court annulment and Parliament’s declaration of the seat as vacant, Dr. Bawumia argued that the government is deviating from established democratic norms.
He noted that the case involving former MP and NPP candidate Matthew Nyindam is not unprecedented, yet the government and state institutions appear to be applying different standards compared to similar past cases, citing precedents like Dan Abodakpi and Gyakye Quayson, where all legal processes were allowed to conclude before action was taken.
“Why the rush now?” he questioned, pointing out that Nyindam has filed both an appeal and a judicial review that are still pending. Proceeding with the rerun, according to Bawumia, amounts to “railroading” the candidate and undermines the judicial process.
He emphasised that the sudden departure from parliamentary precedent sets a dangerous example, urging restraint, fairness, and consistent application of rules to protect Ghana’s democracy.
“Ghana’s democracy can only thrive when state institutions apply the rules equally to all,” he stressed.
