The Supreme Court has dismissed a joinder application by the People’s National Convention (PNC) in the lawsuit in which a former National Youth Organizer of the party, Abu Ramadan, and one Evans Nimako, are seeking a declaration that the current electoral roll is not credible for the November polls.
According to the seven member panel of justices, the application by the PNC lacked merit, and will give the full details of their ruling during the final judgment of the case.
The PNC led by its National Chairman Bernard Mornah, applied to the court to be joined to the case as third plaintiffs indicating they were interested per their status as a political party in the country.
[contextly_sidebar id=”IVrH1M6K0p7F3YhValSneB1wpQzPEjQd”]The party further indicated in the application that any decision taken in the case would have an adverse effect on them hence their decision.
Ramadan’s suit
Abu Ramadan in the suit claims the voters’ register contains the names of persons who have not established qualification to be registered and therefore inconsistent with Article 45(a) of the Constitution thereby making same unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect.
Abu Ramadan in the suit was seeking the following reliefs:
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.
The Supreme Court a year ago ruled that the National Health Insurance card (NHIS) does not qualify anyone to be registered as a voter. That suit was filed by Abu Ramadan.
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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana