The Electoral Commission (EC) has been given the go ahead by the Supreme Court to compile a new voter’s register for the 2020 general elections.
The Supreme Court in its ruling today, June, 25, 2020 “ordered that all stakeholders and the Ghanaian eligible voters are directed to comply with Articles 42 and 45 of the Constitution” regarding the compilation of a new register of voters by the Commission.
The Court presided over by the Chief Justice, Justice Yaw Anim said the EC as an election body was independent and its action can only be directed by the court if it goes against the law.
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The Court’s verdict discards the case of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and private citizen Mark Takyi-Banson, requesting for the inclusion of the existing voter card requirement for the compilation of a new voter aside from the Ghana card and passport.
“By this decision, the Electoral Commission i.e. 2nd Defendants in Suit No. J1/9/2020 and 1st Defendants in Suit No. J1/12/2020 are hereby directed to commence the compilation of the voter registration exercise as scheduled’, the court said.
Opposition National Democratic had dragged the Electoral Commission to over Court over its decision to compile a new voters register. The NDC wanted the Commission to either rescind its decision or include the current voter ID as a primary requirement.
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But the EC maintains that except for a new register, there cannot be a free and fair. Hence, the need to compile one. According to the EC, the current Voters ID cannot be used because
The Supreme Court’s verdict also settles are other arguments concerning the matter hence putting a stop to other suits concerning the matter.
“By these decisions and, by virtue of Article 130 (2) of the Constitution any court in which same or similar action is pending or yet to be filed shall apply the decision rendered by the Supreme Court in these consolidated suits. Reasons will be filed on or before the 15th of July 2020”.
Regardless of the ruling, the Attorney General’s Department and the NDC argued about whether or not the current voter’s register can be used for the compilation as interpretation of the verdict seems conflicting for the parties.
According to the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Aseidu Nketsiah the Court has ruled in their favor but the Attorney General believes otherwise.
SOURCE: ATL FM NEWS
