Parliament to Fully Implement Biometric Attendance System for MPs To Track Their Presence At Sittings

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has announced plans to fully operationalise a biometric attendance system to improve the monitoring and recording of Members of Parliament’s (MPs) presence during sittings of the House.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort by the Parliamentary Service to modernise its administrative and technological operations, with the aim of enhancing efficiency, transparency and accountability in parliamentary proceedings.

Under the new arrangement, MPs will be required to register their presence using designated biometric consoles, replacing the traditional attendance register previously circulated for members to sign.

Mr Bagbin said the system would ensure that accurate, reliable and verifiable records of MPs’ attendance are maintained, thereby strengthening Parliament’s ability to monitor members’ participation in proceedings.

Addressing the House on November 3, the Speaker said the introduction of the system was necessary to keep Parliament abreast of technological developments and meet increasing demands for efficiency in the conduct of public business.

He noted that the Parliamentary Service would introduce several administrative and technological upgrades during the meeting to improve the accuracy, effectiveness and efficiency of parliamentary operations.

“Our Parliament must keep pace with the rapid advancement of technology and the growing demand for efficiency, transparency and accountability in the conduct of political business,” he said.

Mr Bagbin further explained that the biometric system would provide a more dependable means of tracking attendance, adding that the traditional attendance register would no longer be circulated for signatures once the new arrangement takes effect.

“First, we intend to fully implement the biometric attendance system to ensure accurate, reliable and verifiable records of members’ attendance at sittings of the House.

“Under this arrangement, members will be required to register their attendance through the designated biometric console. Consequently, the traditional attendance register will no longer be circulated for signature,” he stated.