‘Avoid delays in considering bill’
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, has urged the Business Committee of Parliament to avoid delays when considering the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Advertisement
He said the earlier Parliament took a decision on the matter, the better it would be for Members of Parliament (MPs) the political parties and the Electoral Commission (EC).
The Speaker made the call when the motion for the second reading of the bill could not be moved for the second day running as captured on the order paper.
The bill seeks to amend Article 112 (4) of the 1992 Constitution to provide for elections to be held on the first Monday of November in every election year to ensure an effective and smooth transition.
Leadership's explanation
At the start of business, the Deputy Majority Leader said the motion on the bill could not be moved because there were some issues to be cleared before the bill would be presented.
He, therefore, requested that the bill be stood down to allow for the issues to be cleared.
"There are some issues to be cleared before the bill is presented. We can stand it down for now, so that when the issues are cleared, we will prompt you," he said.
The Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, indicated that he had conferred with the Majority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, on the matter.
Other Trending Stories
Unfortunately, he said, he had been told that the Majority Leader was attending a Cabinet meeting.
He said he would meet with Mr Bagbin before the close of day and gave an assurance that the motion could be taken.
Speaker
The Speaker said the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was a very important bill, as it had to do with the amendment of the fundamental laws of this land.
"It is important because there are consequences for any decision that this House will take with regard to the motion," he said.
Mr Adjaho, therefore, asked the Business Committee to put the day that it would bring the bill on notice, so that members would be aware.
"Any day you are taking it, let the Business Committee inform the house after you have cleared what you want to clear, so that members will be put on proper notice," he advised.
Background
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was presented to Parliament and read the first time on June 28, 2016.
Consequently, the Speaker referred the bill to the Council of State for consideration and advice, in accordance with Article 291 of the Constitution.
On July 4, 2016, the Speaker informed the House that he had received the advice on the bill from the Council of State and he referred the bill, together with the advice from the Council of State, to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report.
The committee has recommended the passage of the bill.