The Supreme Court has set April 16 as the date to begin hearing the substantive case of the Election Petition challenging the validity of the 2012 presidential election.
The petition was filed by three leading members of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) comprising the party’s presidential candidate for the 2012 elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, his running mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the party’s chairman, Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey who are claiming the election was rigged by the Electoral Commission in favor of President Mahama.
The petitioners have named President Mahama, the Electoral Commission and the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan as respondents.
The Supreme Court earlier on Tuesday decided on the two issues to be litigated by the parties involved in the petition.
Spokesperson for the Nana Addo’s legal team, Gloria Akuffo told CitiNews that respondents will be served with an affidavit and “Five days after the affidavit have been served on the respondents; they will also be required to file their affidavit of the witness. However, the parties themselves may need oral evidence in addition to the affidavit they will file.”
Also explaining the decision by the Court to accept evidence through evidence, Gloria Akufo said “Witness evidence will only be admitted in affidavit form and after the filing of the affidavit, upon demonstration, cross examination of the witness may be taken. Any other witness called by any party to give oral evidence will be upon compelling ground.”
Source: Citifmonline
