Parliament rescinds passage of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill for further consideration

Parliament has reversed its earlier approval of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, to allow lawmakers to revisit the legislation and correct inconsistencies identified in its final draft.

Speaker Alban Bagbin announced the decision on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, following a vote by MPs to rescind the House's resolution on the bill, which was passed on May 29, 2026.

Mr Bagbin explained that the decision was prompted by concerns raised by Parliament's Legislation Drafting Department after it identified discrepancies between the decisions taken by MPs during deliberations and the provisions contained in the final version of the legislation.

He said the department, which is responsible for translating Parliament's decisions into legislative documents, had detected the inconsistencies during its review but lacked the authority to make corrections without the approval of the House.

“After the third reading, there is a department here we refer to as the Legislation Drafting Department. They are the drafters who draft all what we do here, the decisions we take,” Mr Bagbin told the House.

According to the Speaker, although the drafting team could identify the errors, it could not independently alter provisions that reflected decisions already taken by Parliament.

“The draft people could put them right. But once there are decisions, they cannot tamper with the decision of the House. It has to be brought back for the House to do the proper thing,” he said.

He said the matter had consequently been referred back to MPs to formally reverse their previous decision and undertake the necessary corrections.

The Speaker subsequently put the motion to a vote, asking members to indicate their positions.

“Those in favour, say aye. Those against, say no,” he said before declaring the outcome.

“Honourable members, the ayes have it. The House has accordingly rescinded its earlier decision, which was taken on Friday, May 29, 2026, in respect of the third reading of the Human, Sexual Rights, and Family Values Bill 2025,” Mr Bagbin declared.

The reversal creates an opportunity for Parliament to reconsider the bill and address the identified discrepancies, including concerns relating to its sentencing provisions and other sections requiring clarification.