Charlotte Osei could be jailed for 10 years if-Nana Asante Bediatuo

Nana Asante Bediatuo, counsel for Abu Ramadan, a former National Youth Organiser of the People’s National Convention (PNC), who sued the Electoral Commission (EC) over the credibility of the current voters register has hinted that he may return to the Supreme Court to pray the court to apply sanctions against the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) for disobeying the court.

The Supreme Court on Thursday, May 5, 2016 ordered the Electoral Commission (EC) to expunge 600,000 names of dead persons from the current voters register.

The court also ordered the EC to delete the names of over 4million people who registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card and give them the opportunity to register again using appropriate identification.

This was after the former PNC Youth Leader Abu Ramadan filed a suit to challenge the Electoral Commission (EC) over the credibility of the voters register.

Ghanaians will be going to the polls in November this year in what has been widely regarded as crucial and close presidential and parliamentary elections.

The incumbent, President John Dramani Mahama, is seeking re-election on the ticket of National Democratic Congress (NDC) which is seeking a third term in office.

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) which has lost two successive elections in 2008 and 2012 is determined to return to power in this year's polls.

The country’s electoral roll which is over bloated has generated huge disagreement t between the NPP and NDC with opposition NPP accusing EC and NDC of conspiring to rig the elections in favour of President Mahama.

The Supreme Court ruling was viewed by many Ghanaians as the right step to settle the confusion which was created by the current voters register.

However, two weeks down the line, the EC has not given clear indication as to how it wants to implement the directives and this is making some Ghanaians to get worried.

Speaking in an interview with Oman FM, Nana Asante Bediatuo, described as worrying that EC has since the ruling not demonstrated it readiness to implement the directives given by the Supreme Court.

According to him, it will constitute a high crime if EC disobeys the directives, which were given by the Supreme Court under article 2 of the 1992 constitution.

Article 2 clause (3) of the 1992 constitution states that “Any person or group of persons to whom an order or direction is addressed under clause (2) of this article by the Supreme Court, shall duly obey and carry out the terms of the order or direction.”

Clause (4) of the same article states that “Failure to obey or carry out the terms of an order or direction made or given under clause (2) of this article constitutes a high crime under this Constitution and shall, in the case of the President or the Vice President, constitute a ground for removal from office under this Constitution.”

According to clause (5) of the same article, “A person convicted of a high crime under clause (4) of this article shall-(a) be liable to imprisonment not exceeding ten years without the option of a fine; and (b) not be eligible for election, or for appointment, to any public office for ten years beginning with the date of the expiration of the term of imprisonment.”

Nana Asante Bediatuo told Oman FM that “we have the judgment so we will enforce it”.

He indicated that he will write officially to the EC Chairperson Mrs. Charlotte Osei to find out what EC intends to do about the ruling.

He stated he will give EC some days to respond to his letter in order to determine his next line of action since the country is left with limited for the general elections.

“We will serve and wait for sometime and if we don’t hear from EC we will proceed to Supreme Court to pray the court to enforce the penalties for disobeying the court order.”

Nana Asante Bediatuo stressed the need for EC to go to the Supreme Court and seek clarification if they do not understand the ruling.

Story by: Michael Creg Afful

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