The Electoral Commission has been ordered to register and issue the parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Cape Coast North, Kwamena Mintah Nyarku, with a voter ID card.
This follows a mandamus application filed by lawyers of the NDC parliamentary candidate at the High Court after the EC withdrew a voter ID card issued him.
The Electoral Commission had alleged that Nyarku provided false information when he applied for the card, hence, the withdrawal.
But delivering his ruling on the matter, presiding judge, Justice Stephen Oppong stated that the applicant made a strong case for mandamus against the Electoral Commission.
Justice Oppong further added that no law barred the EC from registering any person after an unlawful removal from the register hence the Commission should register him.
Background
The Electoral Commission had withdrawn the voter’s identification card issued to the opposition MP aspirant during the just ended voter registration exercise.
According to the Commission, Nyarku allegedly provided false information when he applied for the card, hence, the withdrawal.
He was further slapped with a ¢6,000 fine or risk being put behind bars.
The EC’s decision may have prevented Mr. Nyarku from contesting for the 2020 parliamentary seat of the Cape Coast North constituency since he may not have a voter’s card when the nominations and registration opens.
And by the electoral laws, one cannot contest for a year’s election if the individual is not a registered voter.
Mr. Nyarku has, however, said in a statement that: “I meet all requirements to vote in Ghana and indeed, I have participated in all previous elections held by the Electoral Commission of Ghana”.
Source: Daily Mail GH
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