Cancellation of referendum must come from EC – Minority leader

The Minority has accused President Akufo-Addo of breaching the Constitution by purportedly cancelling the scheduled referendum on the amendment of Article 55(3).

Addressing the media in Parliament, Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu said the referendum is covered by a Constitutional Instrument initiated by the Electoral Commission and any annulment must come from the Electoral Commission.

The Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Gloria Akufo has subsequently withdrawn the two Constitution Amendment Bills from Parliament.

This follows the President’s directive to the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development to abort ongoing processes towards holding the referendum.

Even though the Minority raised issues with the constitutionality of the withdrawal, the first Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei Wusu ruled that the Minister can withdraw the Bill.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice Gloria Akufo has defended the President’s decision to call off the referendum for the amendment of Article 55(3) of the Constitution and to cause the withdrawal of the two constitution Amendment Bills from Parliament.