In a significant legal development, The superior court of judicature in the judicial board of the University of Ghana Students Representative Council (UGSRC) has issued an order for an interlocutory injunction on the UGSRC’s Electoral Commission, effectively suspending the 2023 UGSRC elections.
The court’s decision comes after the hearing of the arguments presented by the Applicants Raman Yusif and Aki-Ola Aziz, who are also aspirants for the SRC Presidential portfolio in their ex parte application for an interlocutory injunction against the Respondents.
Represented by their respective counsels, the applicants filed affidavits on 23rd and 25th July to seek restraint of the first Respondent, the Electoral Commission of the SRC, “from conducting elections for executive officers in the SRC based on alleged constitutional violations and wrongful composition of the vetting panel”.
Upon reviewing the affidavits and considering the arguments presented by the Applicants’ legal representatives, the High Court rendered its ruling.
The court has ordered the Electoral Commission of the UGSRC, along with its officers, members, agents, and servants, to refrain from conducting the 2023 UGSRC Elections and any other electoral processes until the substantive suit is determined.
The Applicants have applied for some reliefs from the Respondent which includes,
“i. A declaration that the EC’s conduct of any of the activities as part of the electoral process, including opening of nominations, vetting and balloting, in the absence of an approved CI to validate it, is unconstitutional and therefore null and void.
ii.A declaration that the composition of the vetting committee is in contravention of the UGSRC Constitution and therefore null and void and of no effect.
iii.A declaration that the conduct of vetting by the supposed vetting committee is unconstitutional and therefore null and void and of no effect,” among many others.
The interlocutory injunction has left the university in suspense as the election was anticipated to determine the next UGSRC leadership. Students and candidates are awaiting the verdict of the legal dispute with bated breath as the election process has been put on hold.
However, the Judicial Board will not be available to sit on the matter or hold any further Proceedings until after examinations have ended.
Below is document of the ruling for more details.
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Story | Hussein Habibata Maltiti | univers.ug.edu.gh
