LUGUTERAH vs. THE INTERIM ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER [1970]DLHC2129

Date	1970-03-23
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1970]DLHC2129

KINGSLEY-NYINAH J.

S. A. OKUDZETO FOR THE APPLICANT.

GEORGE AIKINS STATE ATTORNEY FOR THE RESPONDENT.

[1970]DLHC2129
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >LUGUTERAH <o:p></o:p>vs. <o:p></o:p>THE INTERIM ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER <o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT,
ACCRA]<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[1971] 1 GLR 109<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">

DATE:
23 MARCH 1970.<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

S. A.
OKUDZETO FOR THE APPLICANT.<o:p></o:p>

GEORGE
AIKINS, STATE ATTORNEY, FOR THE RESPONDENT.<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM:
<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

KINGSLEY-NYINAH J.<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>JUDGMENT OF KINGSLEY-NYINAH J<o:p></o:p>This is
an application at the instance of the plaintiff, “praying for an order for
interim injunction to restrain the defendant, his agents and servants from
holding a parliamentary election in the Chiana-Paga constituency pending the
hearing and determination of the suit herein.”<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>In the
substantive action upon which this instant motion is based, the plaintiff’s
claim against the defendant is for:<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">“(a) A
declaration that he be declared elected member of Parliament for Chiana-Paga
constituency. <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(b) An
injunction against the defendant, from holding an election in the Chiana-Paga
Constituency pending the dissolution of Parliament.”<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The
plaintiff’s action is well founded for, article 76 (1) of the Constitution,
1969, provides that:<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">“76. (1)
The High Court of Justice shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any
question whether<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(a) any
person has been validly elected as member of the National Assembly or the seat
of any member has become vacant.”<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>While the
plaintiff’s action now remains pending and unheard, he has very properly filed
this instant and restrictive application geared towards the preservation, in
statu quo, of a certain state of affairs until a final pronouncement is made as
to the rights of the parties to the plaintiff’s suit numbered 135/70. The
following is the state of affairs the applicant seeks an order to preserve.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>After the
last general election of 29 August 1969 won by the applicant’s rival candidate,
Mr. C. K. Tedam, the applicant instituted proceedings by way of an election
petition before the High Court, Tamale, challenging the results of the said
general election (in which he lost) as published in Gazette No. 91, of 19
September 1969. The applicant subsequently amended his petition for a further
declaration by the High Court, Tamale, that he be pronounced the winner in the
Chiana-Paga constituency in the general election of 29 August 1969, because at
the time of that election his opponent, the said Mr. C. K. Tedam, was
disqualified under the Political Parties Decree, 1969 (N.L.C.D. 345), para. 17
(as amended by the Political Parties (Amendment) Decree, 1969 (N.L.C.D. 347).<o:p></o:p>