Minority leader Caissel Ato Forson voiced worry on Friday, February 10, 2023, after Deputy Majority leader Alexander Afenyo Markin delivered the business statement for the upcoming week, that the Public Elections (Registration of Voters), 2023 was not on the agenda.
Caissel Ato Forson said that the minority party in parliament has promised to vote against the business statement for the second week of the parliament beginning on Friday, February 17, 2023. “To my surprise, I have seen an introduction of the C1 which was never discussed at the business committee meeting. For the deputy majority leader who did not attend the business committee meeting to stand here and made a pronouncement that this was agreed upon. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed in the Clerks in particular for allowing this to be smuggled into a business statement. This can never be allowed”.
Ahmed Banda, the deputy chief whip of the minority party, called the business statement a “smuggled report,” and he indicated the house would not consider it. Mr. Banda continued by saying that they successfully smuggled the Cl into the business statement, as promised by the Deputy Majority Chief Whip in parliament, Frank Annor Dompreh. Moreover, he stated that the EC chairperson was required to address the house and provide a briefing on the CI, including an explanation of the CI’s justification.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin threatened to cancel the laying of a new constitutional instrument (Cl) in October 2022, if the Electoral Commission failed to seek an audience with the leadership of parliament.
In preparation for a restricted registration effort, the commission has announced a new C.I. that will make Ghana Cards the only acceptable form of nationality verification.
Source – Tru News Report
