News
Ayaria files motion for parliament to reject CI empowering EC to refuse Voter ID for new registration
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has filed a motion in Parliament inviting it to reject the Constitutional Instrument (CI) that would empower the Electoral Commission (EC) to reject the existing voter identification card in the impending voter registration exercise.
The new CI, if passed, would see potential voters use their passport and Ghana Card as the base document to get onto the new register.
Persons who don’t have the above listed documents would have to rely on guarantors to be able to get onto the voter roll.
The notice of motion filed by Mr Ayariga, on behalf of the Minority caucus, is seeking the House to disapprove of the Public Elections (Amendment) Regulations 2020 CI 126.
Per Parliamentary practice, Speaker Aaron Mike Oquaye would be expected to settle on a date on which the Bawku Central MP would be given the opportunity to move the motion on the floor and back same with reasons.
MPs would then be invited to debate the motion after which a vote would be taken.
It’s unclear when the Speaker would give Mr Ayariga the opportunity to move the motion on the floor of the House.
To be successful in their bid, the Minority which has a numerical strength of 106 of the 275-member House would have to woo their colleagues in the Majority to join them in that pursuit as a simple majority is required for the motion to pass.
The CI which needs 21 sitting days to mature as at yesterday was 10 days old.
The Subsidiary Legislation Committee, of which Mr Ayariga is a member, is yet to submit its report on the CI to the plenary.
The notice of motion was submitted to Speaker Oquaye’s office on Tuesday, May 19, the Ghanaian Times has learnt.
The EC and the opposition National Democratic Congress have been at loggerheads over the need for a new voters roll.
Whiles the NDC contends that the timing for compiling a new register with barely six months to the crucial December 2020 presidential and parliamentary polls is wrong; the EC maintains that only a new register would guarantee a free, fair and transparent election.
Eighteen other civil society organisations and some ‘smaller’ political parties have also kicked against the new voters roll.
The EC which had earlier settled on April 18, 2020 to commence the exercise had to postpone it indefinitely as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
News
Enoch Boateng to host spirit-filled worship experience
All roads lead to the Word Arena Chapel International, as Enoch Boateng Ministries lead worshippers to the throne room tomorrow at Dansoman in Accra.
Dubbed ‘Let Judah Rise,’ it aims to uplift the spirit of attendees, ignite faith and create an atmosphere of deep worship.
In an interview with The Spectator Agoro, the UK-based artiste who doubles as a pastor said the first edition which was held in Oda in the Eastern Region was super and promises attendees that this year’s edition would be mind-blowing and full of miracles.
He stated that special guests ministering in songs include Joshua Ahenkorah, the soulful Efe Grace, and Benny Brooks.
Pastor Enoch Boateng has since extended invitation to everyone to come and experience God’s presence in a unique way.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
News
Fusing politics with fashion
Ghanaians, especially die-hard sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) trooped to the Black Stars Square to be part of history.
The occasion was the historical return of Mr John Dramani Mahama as president of Ghana and Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as vice president.
President Mahama was coming to the office of the president for the second time while Prof. Opoku- Agyemang was sworn-in as the first female Vice President.
The party sympathisers marked the occasion in style, appearing in fashionable dresses designed with party paraphernalia.
To make the electoral feat remarkable, they appeared in special shirts, jerseys, cloths in party colours, not leaving out the vuvuzelas.
Boldly inscribed in these attires were symbols of the NDC and Ghana.
The event also brought to the fore the typical Ghanaian hospitality, entertaining a couple of guests that came to witness the event
By Victor A. Buxton