https://www.myjoyonline.com/ec-still-lacks-power-to-compile-new-voters-register-abdul-basit-bamba/-------https://www.myjoyonline.com/ec-still-lacks-power-to-compile-new-voters-register-abdul-basit-bamba/

A lecturer at the University of Ghana’s School of Law, Dr Abdul Basit Bamba contends the Electoral Commission still lacks the legal mandate to carry out the voters’ registration exercise.

He maintains the Supreme Court’s ruling does not cloth the EC with the power to go ahead since the Constitutional Instrument regulating the exercise does not allow a compilation of a new register.

The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision on June 25 held that the EC can go ahead with the exercise in compliance with C.1 126.

Dr. Bamba is representing NDC MP Ernest Norgbey in the only case before the court.

The case filed at the Adenta High Court is a Judicial Review asking the High Court to rule that C.I 126 which was amended from C.1 91 does not give the EC the power to compile a new register.

He told JoyNnews' court correspondent Joseph Ackah-Blay in an interview that the EC cannot go ahead without a resolution of this case.

“The Electoral Commission does not have the legal mandate to compile a new register. There is an existing register compiled under C.I 91 which has not been revoked.

"If they go ahead, we will have two registers”, He said.

Deputy Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame in an earlier interview with JoyNews said this case will not stop the EC from carrying out the exercise.

Deputy Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame

“No court has the option of electing whether to comply or obey this ruling. The Supreme Court has ordered in the exercise of its powers over all lower courts in the country that this decision is the final decision on the matter and must be complied with", Mr. Dame said.

On whether or not a hearing could take place at the High Court Mr. Dame responded that the Supreme Court decision would have to be brought to the attention of the High Court Judge so it dismisses it.

“The court will not have to hear an injunction and come back and hear a substantive suit."

But Dr. Bamba disagrees with this view.

He argues that the Deputy AG is not a party to his case.

“Don’t put unnecessary pressure on the court. Allow the court to rule on this matter. I wish he had not spoken about a matter he knows very little about. The AG is not a party to this matter”.

Dr. Abdul Basit Bamba with JoyNews' Joseph Ackah-Blay

Dr. Bamba maintains the Supreme Court order that the ruling applies to all pending or cases to be filed on the same or similar issues does not apply to his case.

He explains they are questioning the lack of an enabling law governing the exercise.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.