Acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay is calling for the implementation of the Representation of the People Amendment Law (ROPAL).
According to him, Ghanaian citizens living in the diaspora contribute immensely to the GDP of the country and should not be prevented from exercising their franchise.
On February 24, 2006, Parliament passed the Representation of the People’s Amendment Bill ROPAL to give Ghanaians living abroad the right to vote in general elections conducted in Ghana.
But it has still not been implemented by the Electoral Commission since former President John Kufuor signed it into law.
US-based advocacy group, Progressive Alliance Movement (PAM), sued the EC over its failure to implement the ROPAL but EC chairperson, Charlotte Osei maintained that it will be a tough task considering the cost involved.
However, on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday, Freddie Blay said the implementation is long overdue.
He indicated that, as Ghanaians living abroad whose remittances contribute to the development of the country, they deserve the right to choose the one to lead Ghana.
“It is time to have more faith in our own people outside, they contribute a lot to our GDP” he added.
Freddie Blay was confident the Akufo-Addo led government will ensure ROPAL is implemented for the 2020 general elections.
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