In 2016, Ghana’s parliament passed an amendment to “The Representation of the People’s Amendment Act (ROPAA) of 2006” Act which allowed Ghanaians living abroad to participate in elections.
But despite its passage, the implementation has faced hurdles, leading to a lack of practical application for several election cycles.
Implementing The Law
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has been at the center of these challenges, grappling with the logistical complexities of setting up a reliable and secure voting process for citizens residing outside the country’s borders.
In 2019, a High Court ruling ordered the Electoral Commission to take necessary steps to enable Ghanaians living abroad to vote in the 2020 elections. This decision underscored the legal recognition of the diaspora’s voting rights and the urgency to operationalize ROPAA.
Shifting Blame To Parliament
According to the EC, Parliament was yet to act on a Constitutional Instrument (CI) that would spell out the modalities and guidelines to implement ROPAA which the EC submitted in June 2020.
The Deputy Commissioner of the EC in charge of Corporate Services, Dr Bossman Eric Asare stated that the CI provided the framework and modalities on how Ghanaians abroad could register as voters and also vote.
He said the EC had done its part by submitting the CI to Parliament and that the onus was on the legislative body to act.
Implementation Delays In Election 2020
In 2020, the EC stated that the challenges brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic made it unfeasible to implement ROPAA for the 2020 general election. The EC stated its challenges including inadequate funding.
Sources in some political parties stated that the EC had been engaging them on the implementation of ROPAA and that the parties have also voiced their concerns about its implementation in that year.
How The Process Would Work If Implemented
Ghana’s diaspora voting process would resemble South Africa. Eligible voters would be registered and be required to produce a valid Ghanaian identity document at an international voting station, typically located at an accredited mission such as an embassy or consulate.
The process would be streamlined through online registration and the submission of a special vote application, known as VEC 10, for those intending to vote at a mission other than where they are registered.
Voting day for citizens abroad would be set according to the election timetable, usually occurring 10 days before the in-country voting day.
What Happens Now
Although Ghanaians living abroad will not be able to vote in the upcoming 2024 elections, there is still an opportunity to implement ROPAA in future elections.
With careful planning and implementation, Ghana can empower its global citizenry to be an integral part of its democratic journey in the future.
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