Fight Over New Voters’ Register: ‘Ghost’ Confab Chases Sam George

The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Samuel George may be heading back to push for contempt charges against the Electoral Commission (EC) for holding a training workshop in his constituency despite a court injunction.

The workshop held at the Escape Hotel in Prampram for directors and deputy director’s forms part of the Commission’s preparation towards the compilation of the controversial new voters’ register.

On April 24, the MP grabbed an injunction, restraining the Commission from holding the workshop in his constituency in Prampram.

The ex-parte injunction, granted by the Tema High Court, took effect from Friday, April, 24 to today Monday, April 27, 2020.

“It is hereby ordered that the respondent and all persons claiming through the respondent (EC) refrain from holding the workshop or conference scheduled to take place at the Escape Hotel Prampram from the 24th of April, 2020,” Justice of the High Court, Eugene Nyante Nyadu ruled on Friday.

But despite the ruling, EC is alleged to have gone ahead with the workshop at the hotel’s branch at Airport, taking the event totally outside the jurisdiction of the MP.

Some believe the EC is justified as the injunction secured by Sam George was against the meeting being held in Prampram.

Mr. George who sounded displease said” “What is going in there is an illegality that has been established by the competent court of jurisdiction of the country. The Electoral Commission led by Jean Mensa and Bossman Asare are flouting the orders of the court.”

In response to whether he would consider contempt charges against the EC, he said “that is an option that is available to us. I am having that conversation already with my lawyers.”

The Ningo Prampram MP also accused President Akufo-Addo of backing the move which he describes as irresponsible.

“The Electoral Commission is doing what they are doing because they have the tacit approval and support of the Flagstaff House. President Akufo-Addo is endorsing the illegality and irresponsibility of the Electoral Commission and this is the man who claims to be a doyen of the rule of law,” he added.

Sam George himself lodged a complaint at the Airport Divisional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service but the private security officers at the City Escape Hotel said there was no meeting whatsoever ongoing.

He said he will talk to his lawyers to file a possible contempt of court suit against the EC.

Meanwhile, Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has expressed disagreement at those justifying an alleged meeting stressing that he has a varying opinion regarding interpretations by some lawyers that the injunction was location-specific.

“I personally don’t subscribe to that interpretation,” lawyer Martin Kpebu told said on TV3’s News 360 on Saturday.

“I am not a judge so we will let the court decide if Sam George decides to go to court,” he added.

He, however, indicated that “that is my singular opinion”.