Electoral Commission has stated emphatically that it is more than capable of implementing the Representation of the People Amendment Act also known as the ROPAA ahead of the 2020 general elections.
According to the Commission’s head of Communications, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu the implementation was part of a five-year strategic plan of the electoral body.
Mr Dzakpasu’s response is as a result of the High Court instruction to the EC to implement the ROPAA which was passed in 2006 and sought to empower eligible Ghanaians outside the country to vote in national elections.
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The law has, however, not been implemented by successive governments, leaving many Ghanaians abroad disenfranchised.
The Electoral Commission point of escape over the years for failing to allow Ghanaians outside the country cast their ballots during national elections was due to logistical and financial constraints.
But in a sacrosanct judgement delivered Monday, the High Court, presided over by Justice Anthony Yeboah, said the 12 months grace period starts from January 1, 2018, and it is to enable Ghanaians in the diaspora to vote in the 2020 elections.
However speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu revealed that they were already working on the implementation of ROPAL even before the court ruling.
He added that the only thing left is a broader consultation with stakeholders like political parties, civil society groups on the modalities for smooth implementation.
“We have the capacity professional wise to execute the project of extending voting to citizens outside the country†he added.
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Head of Communications Kofi Dzakpasu also added that they are working assiduously to present their budget to Parliament in order to beat the deadline set by the court.
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primenewsghana.com/Ghana News
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