Implementation of Ropaa through Ghana's Diplomatic Missions: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

Increased demand by citizens to engage in democratic processes to determine governmental leadership has heightened the importance of enfranchisement of voters. Significant constitutional developments across democracies over the last century has developed reliable and efficient ways to empower and facilitate suffrage. In most democracies around the world citizens are no longer disqualified from voting rights and contesting elections based on their gender, literacy, social status, or class; simply one man to one vote. This has added credibility to the belief that voting is as inclusive, with results providing a true representation of the will of citizens. In view of this, this study is aimed at examining the reasons why Ghanaian citizens are currently disenfranchised based on their geographical location; despite constitutional provisions to do so and to also offers measures which could facilitate external voting. The Representation of the People's Amendment Act (ROPAA) (Act 699), the law that allows for Ghanaian citizens to vote from outside the country has not been executed in any election in Ghana’s history. This study “Prospects and Challenges in the implementation Of ROPAA through Ghana's Diplomatic Missions” sought to identify the key processes involved in facilitating external voting for citizens living outside the country; explore the role of host nations and key actors involved in the processes associated with overseas voting; assess the main challenges States face in implementing the ROPAA act 699; and identify how eternal voting can be successfully operationalized through Ghanaian Embassies and High Commission overseas. The study used the semi-structured interview guide to gather primary data; however, secondary data was also used for the study analysis; the study revealed some challenges such as host country negotiation, logistic and financial support. The further explored the opportunity Ghana’s electoral management body (EMB) has to implement external voting by utilizing its missions abroad, potentially enabling the minimization of costs whilst also avoiding tedious negotiations with host countries.