The trial judge in the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) case, Justice Owoahene Acheampong, has expressed displeasure over the absence of Justin Amenuvor, the lawyer for the Electoral Commission (EC).
The hearing involved an application by Philip Jimanor, the lawyer for the petitioners, seeking permission to file amended replies to answers from both the 1st respondent, the Electoral Commission, and the 2nd respondent, John Peter Amewu.
Justice Acheampong referenced a previous incident where he noted the absence of the EC’s former lawyer, Mr Sekyi-Boampong, questioning the lack of representation from such a crucial state institution.
Mr. Benedict Kofitse, representing the 2nd respondent, did not oppose the application.
The judge granted the petitioners’ application and adjourned the case to Thursday, June 20, 2024.
June 20th and 21st had been earmarked by the judge for the trial of the suit.
The petitioners have since filed their amended replies.
To date, no witness statement has been filed on behalf of the Electoral Commission.
However, the EC has submitted the list of registered voters in the SALL traditional areas at the time of the December 7, 2020, parliamentary election, as ordered by the court on June 3, 2024.
The petition was filed by a 2020 parliamentary candidate for the Hohoe constituency, Professor Margaret Kweku and others from Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL).
In their application, the petitioners insist they were denied their right to vote in the Hohoe constituency after the creation of the Oti region, which warranted the creation of a new constituency.
According to them, the creation of the Oti region, coupled with a Supreme Court decision and failure of the Electoral Commission to create a constituency for them, meant they did not vote for a parliamentary candidate in the 2020 general election, which saw the then-NPP candidate Amewu emerging as the winner.
This, they say, is a breach of their rights.