Court clears Ghanaians living abroad to vote in 2020 polls

An Accra High court has asked the electoral commission to put in place modalities to register Ghanaians living abroad within 12 calendar months to enable them vote in the 2020 elections. 

The court described the delay by the commission and noncompliance of Act 699 for a decade, as a breach of fundamental human rights of Ghanaians living abroad.  

A High Court Judge Justice Anthony Yeboah said it is outrageous and unreasonable for the EC to justify the delay in implementing the law by stating financial challenges as the reason.  

The court also held that the current system that allows citizens studying abroad or working in Ghana’s Missions to vote in public elections and referenda while abroad is discriminatory. 

The judge’s order is in favour of arguments by 5 Ghanaians based abroad that the EC has caused an infringement on their human rights by failing to implement the law. 

The court also said if for any legitimate reason the EC is unable to comply with the order given, it must within 30 days explain to the public why it has failed to comply with the courts order. 

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