LMVCA raises red flag over ROPAL

Pro-opposition group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA) is objecting to proposals by the Electoral Commission (EC) to allow Ghanaians living abroad vote in the general elections in their various countries of abode.

Representation of People Amendment Law (ROPAL) which allows Ghanaians living outside the country to partake in presidential and parliamentary elections without flying down to Ghana during elections, is part of a five-year development plan to be implemented in 2020 by the EC.

The ROPAL has been greeted with considerable controversy since its initial passage in the year 2006.

In an interview with Ultimate news, a Leading member of LMVCA, Ibrahim Adjei expressed doubt if the EC will demonstrate enough credibility in the conduct of this exercise.

"…what happened in 2012, Dr. Afari Gyan, when he was asked for the discrepancies in the figures between Presidential and Parliamentary, he said the numbers were from Ghanaians who voted abroad, we saw it on TV 2012, yet you claimed that 432,000 Ghanaians voted abroad that is why President Mahama had those votes, yet in the Supreme Court you brought 775 only,’ he recalled.

He suggested that votes should be counted and declared in all the Embassies in full glare of Ghanaians if the EC is to work with ROPAL.

‘Ghanaians residents abroad, once you can prove that you are Ghanaian, you should be given the right to vote, but what needs to be done is this, all the voting are done at the Embassies abroad, and the counting should be done there, in the full glare of all Ghanaians there, whether it’s UK missions, mission in Abuja, mission in Abidjan, where ever you are, the counting has to be there done,’ he submitted.

He lauded the idea of enfranchising Ghanaians living abroad, urging the EC to exhibit transparency during the general elections.

‘So I am in favour of Ghanaians voting abroad, but again this is where the EC has to be transparent; we want to see every single vote from abroad, and it has to be declared in the Embassies,’ he suggested.