ADVERTISEMENT
Parliament fails to pass Bill to change election date
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, before the secret vote made a passionate appeal to the House to pass the bill.
Recommended articles
The bill could not get the backing of 184 Members of Parliament.
125 MPs voted for the bill while 97 voted against it.
She said: “One of the main advantages is that, holding [the] election in November will allow for sufficient time between an election and the handing over of power to an incoming government. This [is] important to ensure adequate preparation and a smooth transition and eliminate situations where former Ministers of State are recalled to provide information to an incoming government on matters of state.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“In addition to this Mr. Speaker, having an election on the predetermined date of the week also avoids the inconvenience associated with some days of the week such as Fridays and Sundays …Furthermore having an election on a day following a weekend also allows ample time for preparation by the Electoral Commission by way of transportation and distribution of election materials, and makes it convenient for the electorates who need to travel to their various constituencies to cast their votes to do so.”
But the Minority Spokesperson on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Joe Osei Owusu, in his submission doubted the readiness of the Electoral Commission.
According to him, changing the date from December to November could create a tight calendar for the EC.
He said the EC is overwhelmed by events such as the voter register exhibition exercise, training of election officers and procurement of election materials.
His position was backed by Hon. O.B. Amoah (NPP-MP) who said changing the date for this year's election will create some challenges.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, in his argument urged the minority to back the bill.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on Monday suggested to the House to pass the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to pave way for this year’s elections and subsequent elections to be held on the first Monday of November in every election year, a change from the usual December 7 date.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
St Patrick Hospital suspends Muslim staff for taking break to observe Eid festivities
GPRTU proposes 30% increase in transportation fares
It's regrettable Ghanaian journalists no longer talk about galamsey — Sir Sam Jonah
Police arrest 1 person in connection with Odumasi-Badu Road robbery in Bono Region
Asantehene urges government to involve private sector in GRIDCo, ECG, VRA and others
Robbery attack claims life of University of Energy and Natural Resources student
11 out of PNC's 16-member NEC resign, form new party called PNP
Informal workers beg for cash to cope with cost of living crisis — Report
