The former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Nii Ayikoi Otoo has described as an act of disrespect to Ghana’s judiciary, the stance by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission to go ahead with the creation of new 45 constituencies before the December elections, despite a court action against it.
The EC was dragged to court to answer questions as to the method it is employing in the creation of these new constituencies.
However, Dr. Afari-Gyan during his tour of some EC regional offices stated that his outfit will proceed with its legal mandate to create the constituencies irrespective of the concerns being raised by some Ghanaians.
He told journalists that he does not understand why the EC must wait because some aggrieved persons have gone to court over the matter.
But Lawyer Nii Ayikoi Otoo says the EC Chairman’s latest comment does not show respect to Ghana’s rule of law.
“Though Mr. Afari Gyan is saying that he has a constitutional duty to create more constituencies nobody is begrudging him because under Article 47 the power to create constituencies rest with the Electoral Commission.
“We all know that the constitutional regime in which we find ourselves creates the atmosphere of getting the constitution to set parameters in whatever we do.
“A case is pending in court in which the deputy commissioner himself a lawyer has sworn an affidavit praying that the High Court case be stayed and the matter referred to the Supreme Court to seek interpretations.
“What it means to me is that he has realized that this is quite a serious matter that the highest Court of this land must deal with” Lawyer Ayikoi Otoo said.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
