A Political analyst and a lecturer at the University of Ghana says the implementation of the Representation of the People Amendment Act, ROPAA, 2006 [Act 699] is feasible.
Dr Kobby Mensah in an exclusive interview with PrimeNewsGhana said the ruling of the court is in it right direction as this will give every Ghanaian especially those outside the country, the opportunity to vote in general elections.
The Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court, presided over by His Lordship Justice Anthony K. Yeboah, on Monday, December 18, 2017, ordered the Electoral Commission to within 12 months implement the People Amendment Act.
The verdict of the Court means Ghanaians living abroad will be allowed to vote in the 2020 general elections.
The court upheld arguments by 5 Ghanaians based abroad that the EC has caused an infringement of their human rights by failing to implement the law.
The Representation of the People Amendment Act 2006, (Act 699) was passed 11 years ago, during the Kufuor Administration, but has since not been implemented.
Sharing his expert view on the feasibility of the implementation, Dr Kobby Mensah expressed the belief the Electoral Commission and Government are in the position to take the necessary steps as directed by the court.
According to him, the issue of cost as raised by some political parties will not be a problem if the EC and Government are committed to making sure no Ghanaian living abroad is disenfranchised.
Pointing out some critical things the EC needs to pay attention to in the implementation of the law, Dr Mensah called for public education on the right of every citizen to vote even when outside the country.
He stressed without the education of the target group on the need to participate and have confidence in the process, the implementation of the ROPAA will be waste of resources.
Dr Kobby Mensah added that the education should focus on informing those in the diaspora that the process will not harm their status in their respective countries.
Read also NDC questions ROPAA law implementation
Court orders EC to allow Ghanaians living abroad vote in 2020
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