NDC, 4 other political parties sue EC over limited voter registration
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), one of Ghana’s five opposition political parties, has launched a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission (EC) with the Supreme Court. In reaction to the EC’s choice to confine the impending restricted voter registration operation to its district offices, this action has been taken. The NDC, the Convention People’s Party (CPP),…
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), one of Ghana’s five opposition political parties, has launched a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission (EC) with the Supreme Court.
In reaction to the EC’s choice to confine the impending restricted voter registration operation to its district offices, this action has been taken.
The NDC, the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the All People’s Congress (APC), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), and the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) are the parties engaged in the case.
They contend that the EC’s choice to restrict voter registration locations to its district offices may result in the disenfranchisement of many eligible voters, depriving them of the ability to register and vote in public elections.
These political parties filed an application for an interlocutory injunction in support of their position, requesting that the planned restricted voter registration drive by the EC be put on hold until the main legal dispute has been resolved.
The parties have a long list of steps they want to take to force the EC to carry out the upcoming restricted voter registration effort at the electoral area level, and this is only the first one. Their goal is to comply with Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution, Regulation 2(1)(2) of C.I. 1991, and the EC’s established procedures by ensuring that all qualified voters have access to the voting process.
The date for filing the Application for Interlocutory Injunction, according to the Chief Justice of the Republic’s orders, will be decided on Monday, the Supreme Court’s Registrar has told the plaintiffs. The complaint has also been served on the Electoral Commission.
From September 12, 2023, until October 2, 2023, a restricted voter registration period will be held for eligible Ghanaians who turned 18 after the 2020 registration period, as well as for all other eligible voters.
The procedure will be carried out at each of the EC’s 268 district offices around the nation, according to Chairperson Jean Mensa.
