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ECOWAS members may be elected by the
ballot
Accra, Dec. 17, Ghanadot/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.
GNA
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