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EC storms Supreme Court with tons of NHIS documents

By MyJoyOnline
Politics The actual number of names which the EC presented in two jute bags is unknown but it is expected to be in the millions
JUN 29, 2016 LISTEN
The actual number of names which the EC presented in two jute bags is unknown but it is expected to be in the millions

The Electoral Commission (EC) has filed a large number of documents believed to be information on voters who registered with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards at the Registry of the Supreme Court (SC) in compliance with an order a fortnight ago.

Court clerks stayed past their closing time Wednesday to receive the documents from the EC officials.

The Supreme Court two weeks ago ordered the Commission to submit before it, a comprehensive list of all persons who registered with NHIS cards in 2012, by June 29.

Additionally, the apex court directed the EC to develop guidelines on the specific processes and methods it intends to adopt in implementing the orders in the May 5 judgement on the voters register.

The panel of Judges issued the order when they met to clarify the Court's May 5 judgment, following contradictory interpretations proferred by the parties and lawyers on the judgement.

The actual number of names which the EC presented in two jute bags – popularly called ‘Ghana must Go’ – is unknown but it is expected to be in the millions.

On May 5, 2016 the Supreme Court asked the Electoral Commission to remove from the current voters’ register names of all persons who registered and voted in the 2012 elections, with the NHIS card as a proof of identity.

The ruling followed a suit filed by a former General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC) Abu Ramadan, and Mr. Evans Nimako, who in 2014 won a lawsuit that barred the use of NHIS cards for registration.

The two, among other reliefs, wanted the current register declared inappropriate for the November polls.

But the EC after studying the ruling said its understanding does not suggest the use of any new process to delete the names of those who registered with NHIS cards since there are already laid down procedures for expunging ineligible names.

The EC’s explanation, however, angered Mr. Ramadan who felt the Commission was disrespecting the explicit orders of the court.

Speaking on Newsnight on Joy FM Wednesday, Mr Ramadan said although he has not been officially notified about the submission of the NHIS documents.

He expects the Commission to provide details on how many names have been submitted and how the names were compiled.

He said the legitimacy and credibility of the names presented by the EC are of utmost importance to the Supreme Court judgement.

Also speaking on Newsnight, convener of pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) pressure group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA), David Asante, said he doubts the authenticity of documents presented by the EC.

LMVCA had previously predicted that the EC would not be able to meet the June 29 deadline of the Court because compiling millions of names in less than a week is a Herculean task.

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