NDC MP’s case against EC adjourned

The Human Rights Division of Accra High Court, has adjourned the case filed by the Member of Parliament for Ashaiman against the Electoral Commission. 

Ernest Norgbey filed the suit, requesting information about the new biometric voter management system.

The court had earlier fixed July 16 to deliver its judgement on whether or not the commission is mandated to provide the NDC legislator with the document.

But the court adjourned the case to July 21.

Background of the case

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament, Ernest Norgbey, in March, this year, had filed a suit demanding the Electoral Commission to make available information on the equipment to be used for the registration exercise.

But the EC refused to honour his request on providing the information on the new BVMS.

The NDC legislator was seeking a declaration that the commission’s refusal to furnish him with the information was a violation of his right to information.

He argued that even before the passage of the Right to Information Act, the court had allowed citizens of Ghana to access information from public institutions subject to reasonable fees.

Ernest Norgbey wanted the court to enforce his rights under Article 21 of the constitution by ordering the EC to furnish him with the information.

The legislator’s suit comes after the commission, in December, last year, announced its intention to acquire a new biometric voter management system (BVMS).

The commission argued that it important to upgrade the efficiency, trust and credibility of the 2020 elections and the country’s electoral process in general.

“As ready and willing as our client (EC) is to provide the information requested by your client, it is not immediately able to do so because the fees and charges applicable are yet to be determined in accordance with law,” lawyers for the EC said in a reply.

Following the EC’s response, Mr Norgbey marched to the High Court with the case that the action by the commission was a violation of his fundamental human rights to information.