A legal battle has ensued in Ghana’s Hohoe constituency over alleged voter registration irregularities, with two appeals filed in the High Court. Prosper Kumi and Newton Y. Darkey are challenging a decision by the District Registration Review Committee on May 18, 2024, which cleared hundreds of individuals for voter registration.
The appeals center around Article 42 of Ghana’s Constitution, which guarantees every citizen of 18 years and above the right to vote and be registered as a voter. The controversy began with accusations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) transported people from neighboring Togo to participate in a limited voter registration exercise in May.
Prosper Kumi, NDC’s Hohoe constituency secretary, claimed that buses and pickups brought people from Togo to register in Wli Todzi on the Ghana side. The NPP denied these allegations, with Harry Abednego, first vice chairman for NPP in Hohoe, dismissing them as “strange” and politically motivated.
The appeals seek to overturn the committee’s decision, which the appellants claim is “against the weight of evidence adduced at the hearing of the Committee”. Both Kumi and Darkey contest the entire ruling, indicating significant disagreement with the committee’s findings.
The appeals target the Hohoe Municipal Registration Review Committee and the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana. This escalation to the High Court underscores the national significance of the dispute, potentially impacting Ghana’s voter registration processes.
One of the appellants, Kumi, is seeking a firm intervention from the court, requesting the reversal of the committee’s decision and an order disqualifying all 450 challenged persons who were cleared to have qualified by the District Registration Review Committee.
The appeal also contests the committee’s assertion that “the challenged persons live within the Community”, suggesting possible disputes over residency requirements for voter registration. Darkey’s appeal mirrors many of Kumi’s concerns, indicating a coordinated effort to challenge the committee’s decision.
Incumbent MP for Hohoe and Minister for Railways Development, John Peter Amewu, has responded to the legal challenges, suggesting they are driven by NDC members. Amewu expressed concern over the challenges, alleging political motivations behind them.
As the case moves to the High Court, it raises significant questions about the integrity of the voter registration process in Hohoe and potential implications for Ghana’s electoral system. The court’s ruling will be closely watched, as it could have far-reaching consequences for the democratic process in Ghana.
The dispute highlights the contentious nature of voter registration in border regions, where questions of nationality and residency are often disputed. The High Court’s decision will be crucial in resolving the allegations and ensuring the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process.
