The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken its legal battle to the Sekondi High Court, filing a new application to secure Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s place on the December 7 parliamentary ballot as its candidate for Amenfi Central.

This legal move follows the dismissal of an earlier application by an Accra High Court, in which the NDC sought to restrain the Electoral Commission (EC) from printing ballots and the notice of poll, in defense of Cudjoe’s eligibility.

The NDC hopes this approach will grant them the time needed to ensure Madam Cudjoe's candidacy on the party's ticket.

• Read also: EC disqualifies NDC’s Joana Cudjoe from Amenfi Central Parliamentary race

Speaking to JoyNews, the NDC's Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Dr Rashid Tanko Computer, stated that the party is pursuing further legal action at the Sekondi High Court to overturn the existing injunction affecting Madam Cudjoe’s candidacy.

“This is based on the ruling of the Accra High Court refusing us the injunction because of the earlier injunction which is still active and I cannot authoritatively state that we have actually filed the process as Sekondi High Court and duly serve the Electoral Commission to halt any processes," he explained.

He added that the hearing which is set for November 7 at the Sekondi High Court, aims to vacate the injunction and pave the way for Madam Cudjoe's picture to appear on the ballot paper.

Meanwhile, the Amenfi Central NDC have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the EC's disqualification of their Parliamentary Candidate, Joana Gyan Cudjoe.

At a press conference addressed by Constituency Secretary, Fiifi Sangmoah, the party described the EC's action as "undemocratic, unconstitutional, provocative, and barefacedly instigated."

• Read also: EC’s decision to disqualify Joana Cudjoe baseless; a slap in the face of our democratic principles – NDC

The controversy surrounds the May 13, 2023, parliamentary primaries, where Madam Gyan Cudjoe won overwhelmingly.

However, dissatisfied individuals filed a lawsuit, securing an interlocutory injunction that temporarily restrained her from holding herself out as the duly elected candidate. 

The NDC's Functional Executive Committee annulled the May 13, 2023, elections and conducted fresh primaries on September 8, 2024.

Madam Gyan Cudjoe emerged victorious once again, with the EC supervising the process.

The party argues that the September election superseded the May election, rendering the earlier contest irrelevant and reinforcing Madam Gyan Cudjoe's legitimacy.

Despite the NDC's arguments, the EC disqualified Madam Gyan Cudjoe, citing the interlocutory injunction tied to the annulled May 2023 election.

The party sees this decision as a gross display of incompetence and vows to fight back.

The NDC demands that the EC restore Madam Gyan Cudjoe's name on the notice of poll and ballot papers for Amenfi Central.

''We will only accept the outcome of the December 7, 2024, elections if Madam Gyan Cudjoe remains a contender. As Fiifi Sangmoah emphasized, We will not stop until justice is done and the people's will is restored."