A member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is warning of dire consequences should the Electoral Commission (EC) fail to implement the Representation of the People’s Amendment Act (ROPAA).
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According to Ernest Yaw Kumi, the EC will be in contempt of court if it fails to implement ROPAL in the 2020 general elections.
The ROPAA ACT 699 (2006), was passed to extend the right to participate in voting in public elections and referenda to Ghanaians living outside Ghana.
But after 12 years of promulgation, Ghanaians abroad have not had the opportunity to vote. There was hope when on December 18, 2017, the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Anthony Yeboah, gave the EC a one-year ultimatum to implement the ROPAA.
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The order, according to the court, was to ensure that Ghanaians outside the country registered and voted in the 2020 elections.
Months down the lane, the Commission is back in court seeking an extension of time to implement ROPAA.
But speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem programme Tuesday, Ernest Kumi said the EC must give tangible reasons for the extension.
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He noted that 12 years of waiting is enough to finalize all modalities for Ghanaians abroad to vote in the 2020 elections.
The NPP man underscored the need for the EC to reach a consensus with all political parties on the processes leading to the ROPAA implementation.
“Once the law has been passed, it must work and all stakeholders must be part of the process,” he stressed.
Ernest Kumi urged the EC to be open in the process for the smooth execution of ROPAA.