Parliament is set to replace its traditional attendance register with a biometric system that will electronically capture and verify the presence of Members of Parliament during sittings.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, announced the initiative as part of measures to modernise the Parliamentary Service and strengthen efficiency, transparency and accountability in the operations of the House.
Under the new arrangement, MPs will be required to record their attendance through designated biometric consoles rather than signing the existing paper register.
The system is expected to provide accurate and verifiable records of MPs’ presence during parliamentary sittings, improving the process of monitoring their participation in the work of the House.
Mr. Bagbin made the announcement on November 3, 2026, when Parliament commenced its Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament.
He explained that the introduction of the technology formed part of a series of administrative and technological upgrades planned by the Parliamentary Service to improve the conduct of parliamentary business.
“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.
The Speaker added that the biometric arrangement would eliminate the need for the traditional attendance register, which has been used to record MPs’ presence at sittings.
“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
