Accra, July 28, GNA - The Legal Resource Centre (LRC) has filed a motion on notice for an order of mandamus compelling the Electoral Commission (EC) to make arrangements for the registration of prisoners so that they could vote in public elections. A motion filed by LRC on behalf of Kobla Senorpe, a prisoner of Ho, is praying the High Court to provide Senorpe and all other prisoners who are Ghanaians of 18 years and above and sound mind to register and vote in public elections and referenda.
In an affidavit in support of the motion, the LRC said on May 6, this year, the LRC wrote to the EC reminding the Commission of its responsibilities to register Ghanaians who are prisoners who have turned 18 or above and are of sound mind so that they could vote in public elections and referenda.
It said on June 10, this year the EC wrote to the LRC, a non-governmental organization which provided legal aid service, indicating that it was unable to register the prisoners for voting in view of the restrictions placed on the Commission. The LRC noted that the PNDC Law 248 could not lawfully restrict the EC from discharging its responsibilities under Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution. It said under Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, a Ghanaian who was 18 years or above and was of sound mind had the right to vote.
According to the LRC under the laws of Ghana it was only "a constitutional provision that can take away the right of Ghanaians". The LRC said the EC, which is a public institution funded with state resources, would not discharge its basic responsibility to register all qualified voters and ensure that opportunities were created for them to vote unless it was compelled to do so by the court. The EC's statement of case submitted that the application should be struck out so that the applicants take proper steps to invoke the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in the matter. According to the EC there was a similar writ awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court. 28 July 08 ATTENTION RECIPIENTS: ITEM 21 ENDS OUR THIRD TRANSMISSION
