The Supreme Court will today [Thursday] hear an application asking it to order the Electoral Commission (EC) to compile a new voters’ register.
Former National Youth Organizer of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Abu Ramadan, is asking the court to grant among other declarations, an order setting aside the 2012 voters’ register.
[contextly_sidebar id=”lY3dqxrCJjTr9tFUMgjTcIV8BqRC9CYv”]Mr. Ramadan wants the court to compel the EC to compile a fresh voters’ register before any major election or referendum is conducted in the country.
The matter which was billed for hearing on Monday could not take place because a member of the panel was out of the jurisdiction, according to the Registrar of the court, James Mensah.
Ramadan’s suit comes weeks after the Electoral Commission turned down a request by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to compile a new voters’ register because according to them, the current one is flawed with names of foreigners and minors.
Reliefs being sought
1.A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 45(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992 (hereinafter, the “Constitution”) the mandate of the Electoral Commission of Ghana to compile the register of voters implies a duty to compile, fair and transparent register.
2. A declaration that the 2012 Voters Register which contains the names of persons who have not established qualification to be registered is inconsistent with Article 42 and 45 (a) and therefore unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect.
3. An order setting aside the 2012 Voters Register and compelling the Electoral Commission to compile fresh Voters Register before any new public election or referendum is conducted in this country.
Mr. Abu Ramadan was the one whose lawsuit brought about the ruling that the National Health Insurance Card could not be used for identification purposes for any Ghanaian who wishes to register to become an eligible voter.
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By: Sammi Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana