Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, a member of Parliament’s Christian Fellowship, has disclosed that Parliament is currently awaiting guidance from the Attorney General regarding the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s request to amend the December 7 election date. Bedzrah mentioned that Parliament will assess the petition’s merit once it is presented.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is advocating for a change in the election schedule, citing a conflict with Sabbath, a sacred day of worship, as December 7 falls on a Saturday. The church proposes that the first or second Tuesday would be more suitable to uphold inclusive democracy.
In addition to submitting a petition to the Attorney General, the church aims to challenge the constitutional provisions restricting the election period in Ghana. Bedzrah acknowledged that the petition has not reached Parliament yet but emphasized the significance of considering it, given the substantial membership of about 395,000, roughly one percent of Ghana’s population.
While the December 7 date is traditionally fixed, Bedzrah stressed the importance of giving the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s concerns a fair hearing. Private Legal Practitioner Martin Kpebu suggested a potential solution by proposing early voting for the church, similar to the practice for security agencies, provided the state is willing to cover associated costs. Kpebu acknowledged the potential burden on opposition parties but sees it as a feasible compromise.
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