Parliament summons Jean Mensa over new CI

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has asked the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa to appear before parliament over the controversial proposed Constitutional Instrument (CI).

The newly proposed instrument by the EC makes the Ghana Card the only identification document to be used to guarantee citizenship if passed.

On Thursday, the special budget report on the electoral commission CI was laid on the floor of parliament, the house commenced debate on the issue.

During the debate, the Chairperson of the debate was absent but was represented by deputy commissioner, Dr. Bossman Asare.

However, the Speaker directed that the chairperson herself appear before the house after the minority raised concerns over her absence.

The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson believed that Jean Mensa was to be in the house to give the needed assurance that the new CI before parliament will not disenfranchise Ghanaians among others.

“Mr Speaker, unfortunately, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission is not here. I recognise Mr Speaker that Deputy is here, but it is not the same as the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission. As we speak, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has consistently avoided parliament.

“We are of the view that we have raised today in this chamber since morning, as serious issues that we prefer and will want the electoral commissioner to be here to give us the needed assurances.”

Based on this argument, the Speaker said that the Chairperson herself needed to appear before the house to clarify some of the concerns that have been raised before the house.