The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2018 has been laid and read for the first time on the floor of Parliament.
The new Bill is to amend Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution on the sponsorship of candidates for public office.
The Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2018 in its objective in the Explanatory Memorandum, seeks to allow political parties, to sponsor candidates for district assembly elections.
Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution stipulates that “subject to the provisions of this article, a political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character, and sponsor candidates for elections to any public office other than to district assemblies or lower local government units.”
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, presented the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2018 on behalf of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Miss Gloria Akuffo.
The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, indicated that the new Bill would have to go through a referendum, and that at least 40 percent of voters are expected to participate in the exercise.
Prof. Oquaye added that it is again expected that 75 percent of the 40 percent voters are to vote in favour of the amendment.
The Bill was subsequently referred to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report.
Source: GhanaJustice/S.Ayisi
