Referendum and district elections scheduled for September



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Hajia Mahama said that, in accordance with the constitutional norm required to approve the referendum amendment, at least 40 percent of those eligible to vote in Ghana must vote in the referendum.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hajia Alima Mahama said a referendum to amend Article 55 (3) of the Constitution would be held in parallel with the district elections in September.

The article, which is an entrenched provision, states that "Subject to the provisions of this article, a political party is free to participate in the formation of the political will of the people, to disseminate information about political ideas, social and economic programs of a national country. character; and to sponsor candidates for election to public positions other than those of district bademblies or lower local administrative units. "

She stated that an amendment to this article was essential if MEWCs were elected on a partisan basis through the universal adult suffrage system.

Referendum required

"As a well-established article, a national referendum is needed for it to be changed," she said.

Hajia Mahama said this at a meeting organized with the aim of raising awareness and better understanding of the electoral process to representatives of different political parties.

The forum, titled "Electing WMEDDs to Enhance Local Decentralization and Good Governance" was also used to discuss the draft National Road Map for Elections, which is expected to take off in 2021.

The minister said: "A bill to amend the article was approved by the Cabinet and sent to the Speaker of Parliament, who sent it to the State Council for advice.

The State Council has given its opinion and the Attorney General has since published the bill in the Official Journal. "

40 percent must vote

Hajia Mahama said that, in accordance with the constitutional norm required to approve the referendum amendment, at least 40 percent of those eligible to vote in Ghana must vote in the referendum.

She said that it was part of the requirement that at least 75% of voters approve the bill.
To ensure proper public awareness, Hajia Mahama said the ministry was working with all key institutions, including the Electoral Commission and the National Commission on Civic Education, to ensure its proper implementation.

The ministry has also engaged the media on the roadmap for the election of MMDCEs to allow them to accurately badess and report on the process leading up to the 2021 elections.

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