The National Democratic Congress (NDC) - UK & Ireland Chapter has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of secretly implementing the Representation of the Peoples Amendment Law (ROPAL).

The law is aimed at giving Ghanaians living abroad the chance to vote in the general elections.

But the party, in a press release, claimed that some members of the governing NPP, in the diaspora, are being mobilised to travel to Ghana on or before 29th September with the aim of registering as voters for this year’s elections.

The statement, signed by the Chairman, Alhassan Mbalba, stated that it is illegal for the EC to register these individuals for the election when the time for registration has passed.

“There is on-going Voters Register Exhibition Exercise which started on the 18th and will end on September 25, 2020.  Therefore, it would be illegal and a departure from registering new voters prior, during, and after the exhibition exercise as prescribed by law.”

Mr. Mbalba also accused two officers of the EC of giving contradictory opinions on the Commission's dedication to implementing ROPAL ahead of the 2020 elections.

The party claimed that Deputy EC Chair, Dr Bossman Asare, had said, in an online publication, that ROPAL cannot be implemented this year while Director of Electoral Services Dr Serebour Quiacoe claimed it will be implemented soon.

The (NDC) - UK & Ireland Chapter believes it will be more beneficial for the EC Chairperson, Madam Jean Mensa, to comment on these illegal happenings.

They added that the Chairperson should also release a statement to clarify her outfit’s position on implementing ROPAL.

The current happenings and the officers’ comments, Mr Mbalba stated, are causing confusion and anxiety among diasporans.

It is also increasing the suspicions that the EC is not providing and promoting a free and fair playing field, he added.

“This can potentially destroy all the gains that Ghana has so far chalked in its Democratic dispensation since the beginning of the fourth republic.”