The Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, says requiring Members of Parliament (MPs) to be physically present before their attendance is recorded could help reduce absenteeism in Parliament.

According to a report by 3news.com on November 10, 2026, Draman said the introduction of biometric attendance would strengthen accountability and make it more difficult for MPs to register their presence without participating in parliamentary business.

"With the biometric system, attendance will be tied to the unique features of each Member of Parliament, making it more difficult for anyone to register attendance without actually being present," he said.

He noted that an earlier clocking and sign-in system failed to address absenteeism because some MPs reportedly signed the attendance register and left without participating in debates or voting.

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin announced the full implementation of the biometric attendance system on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as the Ninth Parliament commenced the Third Meeting of its Second Session.

He disclosed that 258 out of the 276 MPs had enrolled in the system.

Under the new arrangements, MPs are also required to occupy their assigned seats before they can be recognised to contribute to proceedings.

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“So, when you come and sit on a wrong seat, whatever you do there will not be recorded and you’ll not be given the opportunity to speak,” he indicated.

The Parliamentary Service is additionally preparing to pilot electronic voting, while plans are underway to provide the public with online access to parliamentary records by the end of 2026.

Draman warned that poor attendance in the Chamber undermines Parliament's ability to perform its core responsibilities, including lawmaking, oversight of the Executive and representation of constituents.

He said low turnout often delays debates and decisions, particularly during busy parliamentary meetings.

Article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution provides that an MP may lose their seat for being absent from 15 sittings during a meeting of Parliament without the Speaker's written permission, unless the MP's explanation is accepted by the Privileges Committee.

However, legal debate persists over whether Parliament has the authority to declare an MP's seat vacant on grounds of absenteeism or whether such a decision rests exclusively with the High Court.

MRA/BAI

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