NDC sues Electoral Commission over decision to register students on campuses

- NDC sues EC over voter registration exercise in Senior High Schools

- According to the NDC, the EC is undertaking illegality by registering SHS students, since the said schools have not been gazetted as centres being used for the national exercise

- The NDC is praying the court to declare the registration of the SHS students "illegal and wrong"

- Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dragged the Electoral Commission (EC) to court over the latter’s decision to organise voter registration exercise in Senior High Schools (SHSs).

The NDC had earlier questioned the EC’s decision to register SHS students in schools without registration centres, describing the move as illegal.

The latest legal battle means the EC will have to suspend the exercise until the court brings finality to the case.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Aspiring MP arrested for organising a rally in Assin South constituency

“A declaration that it is illegal and wrongful for the Defendant to conduct registration at any place including campuses of a Senior High School which was not contained in the Gazette and notification in accordance with C.I 91.”

“A declaration that any such registration of voters including students that take place at any ungazetted and unpublished registration centre including Senior High School campuses is null and void and of no legal effect,” the NDC’s relief said in part.

The opposition party also opined that the law states clearly that the Electoral Commission has the power to create polling stations but when they do so, they must go through the process of gazetting and publishing them to political parties, 21 days before the time.

But an official statement by the electoral management body issued on Thursday, July 9, 2020, indicated that the two-day exercise which ends on Saturday, July 11, 2020, is scheduled to be rolled out in senior high schools without registration centres.

READ ALSO: 5-member c’ttee to monitor enforcement of COVID-19 protocols in schools

“The Electoral Commission wishes to inform the general public that, it will embark on a two-day registration exercise for all eligible Senior High School students across the country. This registration will take place in all Senior High Schools that do not have polling stations (registration centres) within the schools,” the EC said.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that former president John Dramani Mahama has explained the rationale behind the National Democratic Congress (NDC) decision to settle on Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman as the party’s running mate for the 2020 election.

Addressing party members in Accra a day after he announced the former Education Minister as his running mate, the NDC flagbearer said the party has demonstrated its willingness to allow women to participate at the highest level of decision-making in the country.

Vox pop: Which team "Nana-Bawumia or Jane-John" will win the 2020 election? | #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: COVID-19: 779 health workers in Ghana infected with virus

Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh