Parliamentary leadership has taken the initiative to remove the Constitutional Instrument (CI) on Public Elections Regulations (Voters Registration) from the business agenda for next week. The Election Commission had hoped to present the CI, which would grant the commission the authority to solely utilize the Ghana Card for voter registration purposes.
The First Deputy Speaker, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, made a ruling in response to an objection raised by the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, regarding the inclusion of the Constitutional Instrument (CI) on Public Elections Regulations (Voters Registration) in the upcoming week’s Business Statement of the House. As a result of the objection, the CI has been excluded from the statement.
The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, emphasized the absence of discussion on including the Constitutional Instrument (CI) in the Business Statement of the House for the week ending February 17, 2023, at the recent Business Committee meeting held on Thursday, 9th February.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressed that it was anticipated that the Electoral Commission may present its Constitutional Instrument in the upcoming week. He added that the Constitution, Article 11 C, outlines Parliament’s mandate in regards to Executive Instruments, Legislative Instruments, and Constitutional Instruments and that while it is within Parliament’s power to scrutinize, it should not impede the work of a constitutional body due to disagreements. This statement was met with opposition from the NDC Minority, leading to a passionate discussion on the floor of the House.
Dr. Forson shared that during the Business Committee Meeting attended for the first time with other members, the inclusion of the CI on Public Elections Regulations was not on the agenda. With surprise, Dr. Forson noticed the introduction of the CI in the Business Statement, which was not discussed during the meeting. He emphasized that the Minority will object to the Business Statement as it goes against the agreed upon plans.
Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim respectfully requested the Speaker to consider not accepting the inclusion of the Constitutional Instrument on Public Elections Regulations in the Business Statement for the following week. Mr. Afenyo-Markin suggested a temporary halt to discussions surrounding the CI, to allow for further discussions and consultations.
Mr. Osei-Owusu, in his decision, acknowledged that there was a mutual understanding between both the Minority and Majority parties that the Constitutional Instrument was not on the schedule for the upcoming week, thus it would be removed from consideration.