EC’s meeting despite court injunction in violation of law – Martin Kpebu

A private legal practitioner has said the Electoral Commission (EC) is not justified in its decision to hold a gathering, despite a court injunction directing otherwise.

According to Martin Kpebu, the act flies in the face of the ex-parte injunction, granted by the Tema High Court following an application by the lawyers of Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel George.

The Ningo Prampram MP had secured the order restraining the Electoral Commission from holding the workshop at the City Escape Hotel in his constituency.

President Akufo-Addo as part of measures to contain the novel coronavirus, signed an Executive Order which placed a ban on public gatherings.

These comprised of conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, church activities and other related events.

For weddings and burials, however, groups of 25 people and below, may be allowed to assemble.

Speaking on the AM Show on JoyNews, Mr Kpebu was of the view that the Commission should have complied with the directive by the court.

“The court order was meant at preventing a meeting of about 40 persons. So whether they met in Prampram, in Bawku, Axim… wherever, it will still be a violation of a court order,” he said Monday following the EC’s decision to follow through with the planned meeting on April 25, 2020 at the Airport Residential Area in Accra.

Sources say the workshop for directors and deputy directors also forms part of the Commission’s preparation towards the compilation of a new voters’ register.

Sam George considers contempt charges against EC

Meanwhile, MP for Ningo Prampram, Samuel George is considering filing contempt charges against the Electoral Commission (EC) for holding a training workshop.

NDC wants EC officials prosecuted

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is demanding prosecution of officials of the Electoral Commission (EC), for breaching Covid-19 containment directives.

The opposition party claims the election management body acted contrary to presidential orders when it held the training programme on Saturday.

“We are by this complaint, demanding an immediate investigation into the conduct of the EC…and bring its officials, Mr. Samuel Tettey and Dr. Bossman Asare to book,” Peter Otokunor, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC wrote in a police statement.

Source: joynews