Ghanaians abroad may vote in 2020 Election – EC hints

c. This was announced by the Commission’s Director of Electoral Services Dr. Serebour Quiacoe.

He made this known at on the Accra-based Joy FM. He said the EC has prepared a budget to get the needed funding from the government for its implementation as well as the law granting diasporans the right to vote in elections in Ghana.

That  c has been passed way back in 2006 under the NPP led Kufuor administration. At the time, the current major opposition, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party kicked against the move while in opposition then.

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In 2017, the High Court order to the then Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei was to roll out the implementation within a year but this was not done until now as the Electoral Commission was has been pussyfooting with the implementation process.

The Nana Addo led government has given its support for the implementation of the Representation of the People’s (Amendment) Law more than 13 years after its passage into law.

The change in direction emanating from the EC under the leadership of the current EC, Jean Mensa may bring the 13 years wait to an end in 2020 elections.

After two presidents and two heads of the Electoral Commission later, the current NPP government has signaled support for the implementation.

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“We have even drafted the Constitutional Instrument that will govern the ROPAA” Dr. Serebour Quaicoe revealed.

From the above, the EC seems to have plans way ahead to ensure a successful implementation of the ROPAA. Ghanaians abroad may vote in the 2020 Election if the EC gets the green light and stakeholders buy into the move.

Currently, the EC is championing the introduction of a new voters register to be used in the 2020 general elections. The Eminent Advisory Committee to Meet IPAC & EC on January 30 to resolve the issues

However, all the opposition parties have called for the attempt to be shelved, something the EC is not ready to do.

FQAs : What is the Representation of the People’s Amendment Law (ROPAL)?

The Representation of the People’s Amendment Law (ROPAL) is a law which was passed by Ghana in 2006  to give Ghanaian citizens living abroad, the right to be registered not only as voters but also to enjoy their rights which included to vote in elections where ever they may be found in the world. The slow pace at which the EC has tried to implement this law has prevented many who wish to vote from exercising that aright away from home. Hence the right of Ghanaians abroad to  be registered as voters and to vote in all public elections, referenda, etc has been a mere elusive dream eve since.