December 17 Referendum postponed

President Akufo-Addo has announced the postponement of the December 17 Referendum.

This is to allow time for further consultations with key stakeholders and the public in general, Nana Akufo-Addo announced in a special broadcast to the nation, Sunday.

The referendum seeks to amend the law to enable Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and unit committee members to be elected along political party lines.

However, the question of whether to allow political party participation at the local government level has dominated major discussions with the leading opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaigning for a ‘No Vote’.

This led to calls for the President to withdraw the Bill in order to allow time for further engagement with electorate on the need to have Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution, amended.

A successful amendment would make the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) open to political parties.

The government needs at least 40 per cent of eligible voters turning out to vote and at least 75 per cent voting in favour for its ‘Yes’ campaign to succeed.

Source: Myjoyonline.com