JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA vs. ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO

This ruling arose in the course of the 2020 presidential election petition brought by John Dramani Mahama against the Electoral Commission and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The petitioner applied for leave to amend the petition in order to correct omissions and errors said to be apparent on the face of the petition. The Supreme Court considered whether the proposed amendments merely regularised the pleading or altered the substance of the petitioner’s case. Portion of judgment: “We notice that the Applicant is just seeking leave to amend omissions and errors apparent in the petition. We have looked at the nature of the amendment and as it does not change the nature of the Petitioner’s case, we grant the amendment in terms prayed.”

Tsikata Moves for the motion for leave to amend. We seek leave to amend the petition with leave of the Court. Refers to the motion and affidavit. X X X X X X X X By Court We have considered the application for leave to amend the petition filed. We notice that the Applicant is just seeking leave to amend omissions and errors apparent in the petition. We have looked at the nature of the amendment and as it does not change the nature of the Petitioner’s case, we grant the amendment in terms prayed. Let the amended process be filed by the close of day before 4.00 pm. The Respondents are at liberty to amend their respective answers to the petition on or before 4.00 pm tomorrow Friday 15th January, 2021. The petition is adjourned to Tuesday 19th January 2021. The motion for live telecast of the proceedings is hereby struck out as moot. (S.....