Provide roadmap for implementation of ROPAL – EC ordered

The Electoral Commission (EC) has asked for more time to produce actual roadmap for the implementation of the Representation of the People’s Amendment Act, 2006 [Act 699], popularly known as ROPAL.

This follows an order by a High Court in Accra a month ago directing them to provide details of the implementation of the law several years after it was passed.

According to lawyers of the EC, the Commission was facing challenges in its attempt to implement the law.

Their reasons did not sit well with the judge, Justice Anthony Yeboah who was unhappy the EC did not comply with the order and a handed a two-week ultimatum to them to provide the information.

Five Ghanaian residents in the United States, dragged the EC to court over the non-implementation of the ROPAL, Act 699.

They contended that the non-implementation of the law was a breach of their fundamental human rights under the laws of Ghana; particularly Articles 17(2), 42 and 33(5) of the 1992 constitution.

The applicants thus prayed the court to order the Electoral Commission to ensure compliance with Act 699.

The controversial law was passed in 2005 to enable Ghanaians living abroad to vote in national elections but it has not been implemented for more than a decade now since the then President John Agyekum Kufuor signed it into law.

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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The Electoral Commission (EC) has asked for more time to produce actual roadmap for the implementation of the Representation of the People’s Amendment Act, 2006 [Act 699], popularly known as ROPAL. This follows an order by a High Court in Accra a month ago directing them to provide details of the implementation of the law several ... Read Full Story