Political analyst Yiadom Boakye has strongly criticised the ruling by a Tamale High Court judge that led to the conduct of a by-election in the Kpandai constituency, describing the decision as unnecessary, legally flawed, and disruptive to democratic stability.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Akua Nyarko Abronoma on Thursday edition on ‘Ghana Nkomo’,  at Sompa Fm-Sunyani, about democracy and electoral governance, Mr. Boakye said he had publicly opposed the by-election from the moment the matter surfaced. 

According to him, he consistently argued across several radio platforms in Kumasi that there was no legal or practical basis for calling for a fresh poll in Kpandai.

“I have been talking about this matter since it surfaced. When people began mobilising to go to Kpandai for a by-election, I made it clear on every radio station I appeared on that there was no necessity for it,” he stated.

Mr. Boakye questioned the judgment of the Tamale High Court judge, stating that the court’s decision undermined electoral processes already concluded by the Electoral Commission.

“We had finished voting and a winner had been duly declared,” he said. “Later, the opposition claimed there was misunderstanding and called for investigations. If there were issues, why send the declared winner to court instead of the electoral officials who supervised the elections?”

The political analyst argued that any alleged irregularities should have been addressed by investigating specific polling stations and the electoral officers responsible, rather than penalising the declared winner.

“You should take action against those who supervised the polling stations where issues were identified,” he explained. “It should not be the candidate who won, has been sworn in, and is already sitting in Parliament. Suspending his seat and calling for a by-election is unjustified.”

Mr. Boakye further criticised the scope of the court’s ruling, noting that the judge reportedly cited irregularities in 41 polling stations but went on to annul the entire constituency’s results.

“In the first place, he said the issues were in 41 polling stations. Why then cancel the entire constituency results and order a by-election?” he questioned.

He warned that such decisions risk undermining public confidence in the judiciary and destabilising communities.

“Don’t you realise that decisions like this disturb the peace of the people in these constituencies?” Mr. Boakye asked.

The Kpandai by-election ruling has generated significant public debate, with analysts and stakeholders divided over its legal merit and its broader implications for Ghana’s democratic and judicial institutions.

 Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan