The speaker of parliament, Alban Bagbin has accused Electoral commission (EC) chairperson Jean Mensa, for not presenting herself before the house over a controversial proposed constitutional instrument (CI).
The newly proposed instrument by the EC which seeks to use the Ghana Card as the only identification document for voter registration ahead of the 2024 elections
On Thursday, February 23, during the debate, the EC was absent but was represented in parliament by the Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Bossman Asare.
However, the minority leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson also insisted that the NDC group in the House will prefer that Madam Jean Mensah made an appearance to give the house the needed assurance before the CI will proceed to its laying.
“Mr Speaker, unfortunately, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission is not here. I recognise Mr Speaker that Deputy is here, but it is not the same as the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission. As we speak, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has consistently avoided parliament.
“We are of the view that we have raised today in this chamber since morning, as serious issues that we prefer and will want the electoral commissioner to be here to give us the needed assurances.”
Based on this argument, the Speaker said that the Chairperson herself needed to appear before the house to clarify some of the concerns that have been raised before the house.
Written by: SAMIRA DUGHAN
