Politics

Lobby MPs for election of MMDCEs–NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged the citizenry to lobby their Members of Parliament (MPs) to help speed up parliament’s proceedings on the amendment of Article 243 (1) of the 1992 Constitution.

However, the election of Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on partisan basis requires the amendment of Article 243(1), which is a non-entrenched provision, and the amendment of Article 55(3), which is an entrenched provision, both of which Parliament is currently considering to pass into law after the referendum.

Samuel Akuamoah, the Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, NCCE, made the call at the launch of public sensitization, education and awareness raising campaign in the Northern Region on the District Level Elections and Referendum for the amendment of the Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution slated for December 17, 2019.

The campaign was to educate and encourage citizens in the region to actively participate in the elections and referendum exercises and also facilitate the election of MMDCEs on partisan basis.

According to Mr Akuamoah, “Article 243 (1) gives, only the president, the power to appoint MMDCEs with two-third majority approval from the Assembly members and can be amended with support, assistance and approval from MPs, I appeal to the citizenry to encourage your MPs to speed up the amendment of the article to help strengthen democratic governance.”

Alhaji Abdul Saani, the Northern Regional Director of NCCE, noted that the government had shown its commitment, dedication and determination to give the citizenry the chance to help ensure equal participation of political parties in the elections of Assembly and Unit Committee members.

Johnson Akafia, the Acting Regional Director of the Electoral Commission for Savannah Region, indicated that the December 2019 District Level Elections and Referendum would require registered voters to vote on three ballots namely, unit committee chairs ballot, Assembly Members ballot and referendum ballot, where  the citizenry would be asked to Vote “Yes” or “No”, for participation of political parties in the elections. 

Saeed Jibril, District Chief Executive for the West Gonja, acknowledged politicisation of Assemblies and urged the citizenry to massively vote in favour of the referendum to help strengthen local government system to bring growth and development closer to them. -GNA

Show More
Back to top button