We can not defy a court order on the ROPAA – Electoral Commission | Elections

The Electoral Commission (EC) would not challenge a court order to implement the People's Representation Amendment Act (ROPAA) to allow Ghanaians to vote in national elections, the Commission said.

The High Court of Accra, presided over by Judge Anthony Yeboah in 2017, had ruled in favor of five Ghanaians from the diaspora who sued the Commission to demand justice. [EC] implement the ROPAA so that they can vote in national elections.

Dr Eric Bossman Asare, Vice-President of the EC and member of the Committee, told the ROPAA Consultative Meeting in Wa that the Court had ordered the EC to prepare a constitutional instrument (CI) and submit it to Parliament in the 12 months to make the ROPAA law operational. franchise Ghanaians abroad to participate in national elections.

"The Commission complies with the court order, hence the need for broader stakeholder consultations that would lead to the optimal and effective implementation of the (ROPAA)," he said. .

"We are complying with the order and our mission here is to seek your advice and advice on the best way to implement the ROPAA."
Mr Asare stated that the EC could not act within the 12-month deadline set by the court, as it was faced with the elections in Manya Krobo district, in the referendum on the creation of the six new regions, and in the elections. other official functions.

The Commission therefore requested an extension, he added, and a further 12 months was allowed to allow the EC to table a legislative instrument in Parliament for the implementation of the ROPAA.

Dr. Benjamin Kumbour, an influential member of the National Democratic Congress (NEC), the largest opposition party and member of the ROPAA Committee, urged participants to make concrete suggestions for effective implementation. of the law.

He also implored the participants to put an end to the protracted arguments and the condemnations against each other, which would delay the progress of the discussions and the effective implementation of the ROPAA.

He added that the decision of the High Court of 2017 had not only crossed the five Ghanaians who had sued the EC, but extended the right to vote to all other Ghanaians living in the diaspora, regardless of their geographical location.