The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it does not oppose the court order to the Electoral Commission (EC) to implement the Representation of the People Amendment Act (ROPAA).
A Human Right High Court Monday December 18 instructed the EC to take all necessary steps to enable Ghanaians living abroad to vote in the 2020 elections.
The Representation of the People Amendment Act 2006, (Act 699) was passed into law 11 years ago, during the Kufuor Administration, but has since not been implemented.
The court presided over by Justice Anthony Yeboah said the implementation must be carried out within the next one year.
According to it, the EC has no justifiable reason not to carry out the dictates of a law that binds them. The court said the EC’s justification for the delay in implementing is unreasonable and outrageous.
Speaking on the High Court’s order Tuesday December 19, a deputy General Secretary of the largest opposition party George Lawson divulged that the NDC wholeheartedly supports the implementation of the Act.
“We are in a democratic era. The court has given an order and we must comply,” he told Francis Abban on Morning Starr.
“The court has spoken and we will have to comply,” he added.
ROPAA implementation will be expensive
Pollster Ben Ephson has predicted that Ghana will have to borrow money in order to implement the Representation of the People Amendment Act 2006 (ROPAA).
His comments come after the High Court instructed the EC to implement the Act within 12 years.
Commenting on the feasibility of the order, the Daily Dispatch’s Managing Editor told Francis Abban on Morning Starr that although ROPAA is healthy for Ghana’s democracy, the cost implication is enormous.
“If the government and the people of Ghana agree that those living outside the country vote, we should know that we might have to borrow to make that happen. I don’t want people to conjecture other people’s mind. There may be people all over the place who may want to vote for a particular political party. If you want to decide who rules the country, you must be able to contribute,” Ephson said.
He added: “I was happy that after 11 years, Ghanaians outside can enjoy that franchise. The same way, I think they should be ready to share the cost involved in making this happen. If you want to decide who rules the country, you must be able to contribute. I am sure the courts will look at the quantum after the modalities and cost analyses are done and make the right decision.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
