ECOWAS to go for elections

Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - An Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol has determined that members of the next ECOWAS Parliament in 2010 shall be elected by direct universal suffrage or through the ballot box.

Currently, members of the ECOWAS Parliament are nominated and approved by their national parliaments.

Ghana is, currently, represented at the regional legislative body by eight members of the Ghanaian parliament including Mr Francis Agbotse, (National Democratic Congress-Ho West.)

Mr Agbotse said early next year, members of the ECOWAS Parliament, will launch a campaign to inform and educate Ghanaians on the regional body and what it "means for the integration of the region such as the free movement of persons and goods....and why the powers of the community parliament should be enhanced from advisory to decision making, censure and budget oversight."

In a statement read on the floor of parliament in Accra, Mr Agbotse said the general pubic and citizenry are invited to make relevant proposals on the matter of direct elections of members of the community parliament for 2010.

He said an ad hoc committee of the ECOWAS Parliament has been mandated to "set the machinery in motion towards actualizing the objective of the authority of Head of States and Governments of ECOWAS members states electing the next legislature for 2010 by direct universal suffrage."

Mr Agbotse said his statement was to prepare citizens of "our various countries of the impending elections that will be held to elect members of the ECOWAS Parliament for the 2010 and to solicit proposals from MPs and citizens in general, which proposals would assist in taking concrete decisions for the final consideration of the community parliament."

He said the proposal should focus on requirement of the candidature such as age, educational background, evidence of good citizenship and payment of taxes in country of residence.

Mr Agbotse said other considerations should include, the determination of modalities for elections, constituencies within the sub-region and states and electoral body to conduct the elections. "For example, Ghana is allotted eight representatives under article five of protocol number A/P 2/8//94. Ghana has 10 regions. How will the constituency be demarcated for eight members?," he asked. Mr Agbotse asked that suggestions and proposals be sent to the Clerk to Parliament, Office of Parliament, Accra, who shall pass them on to any of the eight Ghanaian members of the ECOWAS Parliament. 17 Dec. 07