The District Court of Agona Swedru has issued an interlocutory injunction against Cynthia Mamle Morrison, the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for Agona West, barring her from participating in any activities related to the upcoming December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections.
The court, presided over by His Worship Victor Kusi, made the ruling after hearing a motion filed by three plaintiffs challenging Morrison’s eligibility to contest the parliamentary seat.
The injunction order prevents Mrs. Cynthia Morrison from campaigning or holding herself out as a parliamentary candidate until the final determination of the substantive case.
The court also directed the second defendant, the Electoral Commission (EC) of Agona Swedru, to halt the nomination process for Morrison as an independent parliamentary nominee until the matter is resolved.
“It is hereby ordered that the motion for interlocutory injunction restraining the 1st defendant from holding herself as a parliamentary candidate and the 2nd Defendant from proceeding with the nomination of Cynthia Mamle Morrison as an Independent Parliamentary nominee until the matter is fully determined,” the interim order by the magistrate court on Friday noted.
The case has been adjourned to October 15, 2024, for further proceedings.
The plaintiffs, Emmanuel Addison, Solomon Nyarko, and Harrison K. Aglago, all residents of Agona Swedru, have filed a suit questioning Morrison’s qualifications to run in the December parliamentary election in Agona West. They argue that Morrison does not meet the legal requirements to stand for the Agona West parliamentary seat.
In their suit, the plaintiffs are seeking the following reliefs:
1. A declaration that Cynthia Morrison is unqualified to contest the December 2024 elections.
2. An order directing the EC to disqualify Morrison from participating in the election.
3. A directive to remove Morrison’s name from the list of eligible candidates for the December 2024 elections.
4. A perpetual injunction preventing her from running for the Agona West parliamentary seat until she meets the necessary legal requirements.
Substituted Service Order
On October 7, 2024, the court made an order for substituted service after several failed attempts to serve Morrison with the writ of summons. The court directed that the summons be posted at her residence in Maryland, the notice board of the Agona Swedru District Court, and the notice boards of the Agona West and Agona East Municipal Assemblies for a period of 14 days.
This legal development has raised questions about Morrison’s future in the upcoming elections, as the court’s final determination on the matter will have a significant impact on her candidacy. The EC, as the second defendant in the case, is also under scrutiny, with the plaintiffs pushing for the disqualification of Morrison from the election.
Source: Newstitbits.com