Addressing the House on Wednesday, October 29, Bagbin noted that he had received attendance records for the first and second meetings since the House resumed but decided not to publish them, hoping that attendance will be improved.
However, the Speaker admitted that his decision rather seems not improve the growing trend of absenteeism among MPs.
Bagbin has since directed the Clerk to Parliament to maintain detailed attendance records of Members of Parliament to facilitate disciplinary against those who are habitually absent without permission.
“It looks like a catastrophic mistake I did. I should have brought it out and referred members to the Privileges Committee. I thought that was not a good way to start this meeting but it is like it has encouraged members not to be present.
“I’m saying this for the last time. I have given notice to the Clerk at table to take the record of this meeting and please we have the standing orders, we know what they say,” he stated.
The Speaker cautioned that members of parliament who failed to attend plenary proceedings risk sanction including the possible loss of their seats.
“We will be taking action to make sure that we compel members to sit or to be considered to have vacated their seats. This matter, I will say no more,” he stressed.
