Accra, June 18, 2025 – A heated disagreement erupted in Parliament on Wednesday following the absence of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, who had been scheduled to respond to two urgent questions filed by the Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Hon. Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor.
The EC Chair, through formal communication to Parliament, indicated her “unavoidable unavailability” and delegated her deputy to appear in her stead. However, the Majority Chief Whip objected to the arrangement and requested for his questions to be rescheduled until such time the EC Chair could appear personally.
Citing Standing Order 79, the MP argued that the nature and gravity of his questions required a direct response from the head of the Electoral Commission and not a delegated official.
“I insist that the questions be addressed by the Chairperson herself,” he stated on the floor of Parliament. “These are matters of high public interest that require full accountability and cannot be delegated.”
Minority Bench Pushes Back
Members of the Minority Caucus disagreed with the Chief Whip’s position, drawing his attention to Standing Order 88(6). The provision grants the Speaker authority to permit a Deputy Minister or Deputy Head of an independent constitutional body to respond to questions in the absence of the substantive officer.
The Order reads: “In the absence of the Minister, Member, or Head of the Independent Constitutional Body to whom the Question is directed, the Speaker may permit an authorised person to respond to the Question.”
The Minority warned that blocking a deputy from representing a constitutional body would set a dangerous precedent. “Are we now saying Deputy Ministers cannot appear when Ministers are unavailable?” the 1st Deputy Minority Whip, Habib Iddrisu questioned.
Speaker Intervenes
Presiding Speaker, Hon. Andrew Asiamah, ultimately ruled in line with Standing Order 88(6), indicating that the Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission would be allowed to respond to the questions unless the questioner chose to withdraw them altogether.
“The choice is clear,” Speaker Asiamah ruled. “Either you withdraw the question, or we proceed with the Deputy Commissioner who has been duly delegated.”
The Majority Chief Whip aquiesced. He went ahead to ask the question and the Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Bossman Asare provided the responses.
The issue underscores ongoing tensions in Parliament over accountability, representation, and the appropriate interpretation of parliamentary procedures.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
