Electoral Commission (EC) has said 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.
Head of Communications, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu said the implementation was part of a five year strategic plan of the electoral body.
His comment follows a High Court order 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.
The law has, however, not been implemented by successive governments, leaving many Ghanaians abroad disenfranchised.
The Electoral Commission had argued that its failure not to allow Ghanaians outside the country case their ballots during national elections was due logistical and financial constraints.
But in a judgement delivered Monday, the 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.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Kofi Dzakpasu revealed that they were already working on the implementation of ROPAL before the court order.
What is left, he indicated, is broader consultations 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.
Kofi Dzakpasu said they are working hard to present the budget to Parliament to beat the deadline.
Source: Ghana/Adomonline.com/Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman.
