Parliament has debunked reports that it has passed the Electoral Commission (EC) Constitutional Instrument (CI) that seeks to make the Ghana Card the sole document for voter registration.
A statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, expressed that any such publication is false.
“Parliament states categorically that it has not passed any such Instrument,” the release clarified.
According to the release, Parliament does not pass Constitutional Instruments, adding, “They only come into force with the effluxion of time; that is after 21 days of the Instrument being laid in the House.”
Explaining what ensued in the House on the 23rd February 2023, the release stated:
“Parliament held a pre-presentation discussion on the CI to collect input from relevant sources for the drafting of the Constitutional Instrument (Cl).”
It urged the media to endeavour to be accurate in their reportage, adding that they can “contact the relevant authorities and officers in case of ambiguity or for further clarification on issues concerning or emanating from the House.”
In September 2022, it would be recalled that the Electoral Commission moved to have the Ghana Card as the sole document for voter registration in the country.
The Minority in Parliament opposed the CI, saying it would disenfranchise voters. But the EC insisted it would use the Ghana Card for voter registration.
According to the electoral management body, the Ghana Card is the most authentic means of identifying Ghanaians, hence the Commission’s decision to use it in compiling a new database of voters.
