Politics

Limited Voter Registration: Who’s Jean Mensah working for? – Apaak asked

The Member of Parliament for Builsa South has questioned the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) on its insistence to centralize the upcoming Limited Voter Registration.

In a tweet the lawmaker asked who the Electoral Commissioner, Jean Mensah is working as many other interest groups have called for the registration exercise to be decentralized.

“Chiefs; CSOs; Religious Groups; Persons with Disabilities; and Political Parties, Leaders, MPs have all called on the EC to decentralize the registration exercise to ensure that citizens are not disenfranchised. Yet the EC remains adamant. Who does Jean Mensa think she works for?” he asked.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in collaboration with four other political parties have sued the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) at the Supreme Court (SC) over the upcoming Limited Voter Registration Exercise.

In a statement signed by the Communication Officer for the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi said the NDC, CPP, APC, LPG and GCPP said the EC’s move is unlawful and unreasonable decision to restrict centers for the upcoming Limited Voter Registration exercise to their District Offices.

READ: Your reactions borne out of some form of inducement – Apaak to Kofi Bentil

“The parties are of the view that EC’s decision to restrict the centers of voter registration to their district offices has the potential to deprive many eligible voters of their right to be registered as voters and to vote in public elections.

“The parties have duly filed an Application for Interlocutory Injunction to restrain the EC from proceeding with the announced limited voter registration exercise pending the final determination of the substantive matter,” Mr. Gyamfi stated.

READ: Dr. Apaak hands over newly constructed Kindergarten block to Uwasi Zuasa

“This is only the first of a series of actions that the parties intend to take to compel the EC to conduct the impending limited voter registration exercise at the electoral area level to give all eligible voters access to the process in line with the letter and spirit of Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution, Regulation 2(1)(2) of C.I 91 and the EC’s own time-tested practices.

“In an unusual twist, Plaintiffs have been informed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court that the due date for the Application for Interlocutory Injunction to be moved will be given on Monday upon the expressed instructions of the Chief Justice of the Republic.”

READ: Volta region NDC exposes Bawumia over fish landing site in Keta

He concluded that in the meantime, the writ has been duly served on the Electoral Commission.

See attached, a scanned copy of the writ filed by the parties for more details.