Supreme Court orders suspension of Kpandai parliamentary rerun election

The Supreme Court has directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to halt all preparations for a parliamentary rerun in the Kpandai constituency, pending the final outcome of a judicial review challenging a High Court ruling that annulled the 2024 election results.

The order was issued on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, after the court found that NPP parliamentary candidate Matthew Nyindam had established a prima facie case in his effort to overturn the judgment delivered by the Tamale High Court on November 24, 2025.

The High Court had annulled Nyindam’s election following a petition by the NDC candidate, prompting the EC to announce plans for a rerun. The Supreme Court’s intervention now puts those plans on hold.

Substituted service granted

During the hearing, Nyindam’s lawyer, Gary Nimako Marfo, informed the court that the first interested party, NDC candidate Daniel Nsala Wakpal, had not been served with the judicial review application and requested substituted service.

After extensive discussions, the five-member panel, led by Justice Pwamang and including Justices Kulendi, Tanko, Samuel Asiedu, and Henry Kwofie, granted the request. The court ordered that service be effected by posting the documents at Wakpal’s residence in Kpandai, on the notice boards of the Tamale High Court and Kpandai District Court, and via WhatsApp to a verified phone number. The documents are to remain posted for seven days, after which service will be deemed effective.

EC directed to halt election plans

The Supreme Court also instructed the Electoral Commission, represented by Justin Amenuvor, to suspend all election arrangements until the case is finally determined. The matter has been adjourned to January 13, 2026.

Background

The dispute arose from a petition filed by the NDC candidate at the Tamale High Court, which led to the annulment of Nyindam’s election. Nyindam approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court lacked jurisdiction because the petition was filed outside the 21-day constitutional window for challenging parliamentary election results.

According to Nyindam, the results were gazetted on December 24, 2024, but the petition was filed on January 25, 2025, making it statute-barred.

The Supreme Court’s order preserves the status quo while it considers the legality of the High Court proceedings.