Parliament awaits EC on ROPAL

Accra, May 15, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) will have to put before Parliament a Legislative Instrument (LI) on the Representation of the Peoples (Amendment) Law (ROPAL) if it decides to implement it.

The LI would spell out the modalities, regulations and details governing the implementation of the ROPAL, which is to enable Ghanaians resident outside to participate in public elections in the country. Nana Akomea, NPP Member of Parliament for Okaikwei South told the media in Parliament that the EC before coming to Parliament with an LI, would have to hold consultations with the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on the modalities, which should stand the test of time.

"Our responsibility as Parliament will be to look at the modalities... the ball is now in the court of the EC," Nana Akomea said in response to a question from the press during a briefing to outline the agenda for the second session of the year as Parliament began sitting on Tuesday.

The MP was responding to concerns raised by the Ghana New Agency about the ongoing debate about the merits and demerits of implementing the ROPAL and the position of Parliament on the matter. Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in his contributions said, "my view is we have passed the Bill. EC is to implement it as deemed fit. I have not seen the Electoral Commissioner for sometime. There should be a possible meeting with him to know about his plans and the assistance needed from Parliament if he wants to implement the law."

According to Mr Owusu-Adjapong he would arrange a meeting with the EC to enable Parliament to programme itself because the EC would have to come to Parliament before implementing the ROPAL. Ms Akua Dansua, NDC-North Dayi who represented the Minority said, "we are waiting for the EC to make pronouncements then we pick it up from there."

Various bills including the Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Bills are expected to pass during this session. Meanwhile, the Food and Drugs Bill before the House is expected to be withdrawn for comprehensive work to be done on it to correct the duplication of functions between the Ghana Standard Board and the Food and Drugs Board.