A leading member of the pressure group, Citizen Ghana Movement, Kofi Bentil, has urged Ghanaian voters to develop the habit of policing their votes after exercising their franchise.
The IMANI Ghana Vice President, argues that the Supreme Court’s decision in the 2012 election petition case, has jeopardized all chances of the will of the electorate prevailing in any public elections in Ghana.
[contextly_sidebar id=”JxmyLk3EV5qr5o3g2XvbLzMNc9DYP35Y”]According to him, the ruling has consequently redefined the role of voters in Ghana.
Speaking at a public forum on the “Role of the Electorate in a Credible Election” organised by pro-opposition group, Let My Vote Count Alliance, Kofi Bentil, encouraged the Ghanaian voter to remain vigilant.
“How do we determine what the will of the people is, the role of the electorate. The role of the electorate today is to make sure you vote and police your vote, “ Kofi Bentil said.
Ruling on election petition didn’t bring clarity
The Legal practitioner also raised questions about the Supreme Court’s majority ruling on the 2012 election petition, saying the judgement failed to bring clarity to how Ghana’s elections must be conducted.
The 9-member panel of the Supreme court of Ghana who sat on the presidential election petition, ruled that the incumbent President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was validly elected and declared president of the Republic of Ghana in the presidential poll of 7th and 8th December 2012.
Out of the nine judges, five voted against the NPP’s petition, whereas four supported it.
Kofi Bentil argued that, the election petition ruling totally ignored and undermined the process used in conducting the elections, a move he said breaches every procedural justice principle.
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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana