General News of Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Source: adomonline.com
Parliament has summoned the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan to appear before the House and answer questions on the postponed District Level elections postponed.
Dr Afari Gyan is expected in the House on Thursday.
The Minority in Parliament moved the motion for the chairman to appear and the majority supported it handily.
According to Adom News’ Listowel Kwadwo Fordjuor, First Deputy Speaker Ebo Barton Odro, who was acting as Speaker of Parliament said the ministers for Finance and Local Government and Rural Development will also appear before the house to deliberate over the postponement of the district level elections.
The summons follows a Supreme Court ruling that directed the EC to cancel all preparations towards the district level elections and start everything afresh.
The Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Papa Owusu Ankomah moved the motion Tuesday asking the Speaker to invite Dr. Afari-Gyan.
The term of the current assembly members expires on March 15, 2015 and a vacuum is expected to be created afterwards as the EC is unable to hold the assembly elections today, March 3, 2015.
Mr. Owusu Ankomah, who is a former Attorney General, argued that an assembly without its members from 15th of this month will have serious repercussions for the management of the local authorities.
Majority Leader Alban Bagbin told the House the Electoral Commission is preparing a Legislative Instrument that would be laid before the house within the next two weeks.
The Legislative Instrument would take 21 days to mature.
Indications are that the district level elections are likely to take place in May.
Meanwhile, the Local Government Minister has been invited to brief the House on steps being taken by Government to ensure the Assemblies’ activities are not disrupted after March 15, 2015.