Election Petition: Supreme Court dismisses Mahama's motion to compel Jean Mensa to respond to election 'errors'

The Supreme Court has dismissed a motion filed by lawyers of John Mahama seeking to serve interrogatories on the Electoral Commission (EC).

Mahama's lawyers sought to order the EC to specifically respond to questions regarding anomalies that characterised the December 7 polls. 

In a unanimous decision, the apex court presided over by the Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah said the court rules had been amended with respect to interrogatories.

The Chief Justice said the new regime did not afford the court the laxity of time to respond to allow such questions to be answered before the trial begins.

“The grant of such an application is discretionary. The subsequent amendment pointed out provides us with new procedural regimes and strict timelines, we are strictly bound to comply with C.I. 90.

“We, therefore, will apply Order 20 of the C.I. 47 in these circumstances. We are cordially refusing to grant this application and so is accordingly dismissed,”

It was the case of the apex court that the petitioners simply wanted to delay the process.

Meanwhile, the election petition hearing has been adjourned to tomorrow, Wednesday, January 20, 2021.