NPP MP Cautions Against Enfranchising Ghanaians Abroad

The Member of Parliament for Akropong, Agyare Koi Larbi has cautioned against any rush to promulgate a law allowing Ghanaians outside the country to vote in national elections.

Mr. Koi Larbi says, the matter must be thoroughly discussed and debated because it has very serious implications on the future of the country.

Though an NPP Member of Parliament, Mr. Koi Larbi condemned the earlier decision of government and the majority in parliament to pass the People?s Representation Amendment Bill under a certificate of urgency.

?I believe this is a bill that should not be contemplated at this stage of Ghana?s because we have a peculiar demographic problem that many people seem to forget. In the first place, over one quarter of Ghanaians live outside so I don?t know if Ghanaians would want the outcome of elections to be determined by emigrants.

?Secondly, if you take a look at our various borders, there are many ethnic groups who have cousins here. Such a bill would open a vary dangerous Pandora?s box. I am afraid it is not a bill that must be considered at this time. And even if we are to consider it, it must be done after considerable debate and with a lot of factors in mind.?

Mr. Koi Larbi told JoyNEWS that even with the withdrawal of the certificate of urgency, parliament must exercise caution in passing the amendment bill.

Government was last week compelled by a coalition of opposition parties, the EC and the public to remove the certificate of urgency placed on the bill. It followed public criticism of government?s decision to ?fast track? the process without adequate public discussion and the EC?s insistence that it is not prepared and cannot handle the registration of Ghanaians living abroad this year.