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Allowing NHIS voters would have been a constitutional tragedy  - Abu Ramadan

By Daily Graphic
Politics Allowing NHIS voters would have been a constitutional tragedy - Abu Ramadan
MAY 5, 2016 LISTEN

A former National Youth Organizer of the People's National Convention (PNC), Mr Abu Ramadan has expressed satisfaction at Thursday's Supreme Court ruling that asked the Electoral Commission to delete from the voters register, names of persons who were registered unconstitutionally in 2012.

They include persons who registered with National Health Insurance Scheme identity cards and minors.

Commenting on the ruling in a radio interview on Asempa FM's Ekosii Sen programme, Mr Ramadan said he was very excited and although he did not get all the reliefs he sought, he was happy the argument about the voters register has been put to bed by the court.

According to him it would have been a constitutional tragedy to have sat down and watch people without credible validity to choose a president or a member of parliament for the country.

He said the court's ruling was an indirect way of asking the Electoral Commission to compile a new voter's register.

Mr Ramadan had applied to the apex court for "A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 45(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992" "the mandate of the Electoral Commission of Ghana to compile the register of voters implies a duty to compile, fair and transparent register."

He also asked for "A declaration that the 2012 Voters Register which contains the names of persons who have not established qualification to be registered is inconsistent with Article 42 and 45 (a) and therefore unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect."

The court in its ruling on Thursday granted the reliefs but declined to declare the current voters register null, void and unconstitutional. It also refused to order the compilation of a new register.

In a unanimous decision, however, the court gave the chance to those who will be disenfranchised due to the new directive to re-register. 

In addition to that, names of deceased persons are also to be deleted.

Mr Ramadan responding to the ruling said his next line of action was to discuss with his lawyer Nana Asante Bediatuo on ensuring that the EC complies and enforces the court's ruling.

Mr Ramadan who is coincidentally getting married on Sunday 8th May said the ruling calls for double celebration as he will use the occasion to celebrate his marriage and the ruling.

Listen to Ramadan's comment below

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