Court Dismisses Petition Challenging Ama Dokuas Eligibility To Vote In Okaikwei North

A petition challenging the eligibility of Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah Adjei, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Okaikwei North, to vote in the constituency was dismissed by the court on Thursday, clearing the way for her candidacy in the pending elections.

The petition, filed by Kingsley Anyamasah during the recent voter register exhibition, questioned Asiamah-Adjei’s eligibility, a move widely seen as an attempt to derail her bid for the Okaikwei North seat.

Asiamah-Adjei, who is currently the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North, decided not to seek re-election in her current constituency, instead securing the NPP’s nomination for Okaikwei North in December 2023.

Her counsel, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, expressed satisfaction with the court’s ruling.

“The case against Dokua has been dismissed. She’s the legitimate parliamentary candidate for the NPP in Okaikwei North,” he told the press following the hearing.

The dismissal deepens the obstacles for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate and incumbent MP, Theresa Awuni, who had hoped to prevent Asiamah-Adjei from contesting the seat.

Political analyst Joshua Jebuntie Zaato also weighed in on the controversy, dismissing the test as a mere political maneuver.

Speaking on the issue, Zaato argued that the objection was not a genuine attempt to disqualify Asiamah-Adjei but rather a tactic to cast doubt among voters ahead of the December elections.

“Looking at just this form alone and the fact that there is no accompanying explanation means that the purpose of it is not actually to get the candidate disqualified,” Zaato said. “But to raise some doubts in the minds of the voters that this candidate is not actually from here and hoping that that is used against the candidate at the election.

Zaato pointed out the lack of substantive evidence backing the objection, describing it as indicative of a political stunt rather than a serious test. “The most glaring thing about this is that if you are going to file something of this magnitude, then you want to come back with very good information. So the lack of explanation just tells me that it’s a political stunt,” he concluded.

Asiamah-Adjei’s victory in court is a significant boost for her campaign, as she now moves forward unencumbered by legal obstacles, strengthening her position in the tightly contested Okaikwei North constituency.