Petitioners object to Justice Atuguba as a panel member

The court had been given a new look. The inside had been painted, new carpets laid, some new air conditioners fixed, while electrical systems have been changed, among other renovation works.

The Police cordoned off the premises of the Supreme Court where the two major political parties – NDC and NPP- began the battle of legal wits over the country’s disputed election results.

The Director of Police Public Affairs DSP Freeman Tettey said the police were leaving nothing to chance considering the high public interest in the case.

He said the police have deployed sufficient crowd control gear and warned any party supporters who attempt to disturb the process to stay away since they will be dealt with ruthlessly.

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is alleging fraud in the December polls which saw incumbent President John Mahama retain power.

The party has consequently filed a petition at the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the results declared by Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan.

The presidential candidate of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo, his running-mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and party Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey who brought the petition, cited Dr. Afari Gyan and President Mahama as the respondents.

The governing National Democratic Congress has applied to the Court to be joined to the case as respondents but the NPP is opposing this application.