Parliament has rescinded its earlier passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, clearing the way for fresh consideration of the controversial legislation following the discovery of inconsistencies in its provisions.
The decision was announced by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, after the House voted to reverse its earlier resolution on the bill, adopted on May 29, 2026.
The reversal follows a review by Parliament’s Legislation Drafting Department, which identified discrepancies between decisions taken by Members of Parliament during the consideration of the bill and provisions subsequently reflected in the final draft.
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Addressing the House, Mr Bagbin explained that although the drafting department identified the errors through its tracking process, it lacked the authority to independently correct them because they involved decisions already taken by Parliament.
“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,” the Speaker said.
He explained that the department could correct drafting errors but could not alter substantive decisions made by MPs without seeking the approval of the House.
“The drafters 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 stated.
Mr Bagbin said the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill had consequently been brought back before Parliament to enable members to formally rescind their earlier decision and address the identified inconsistencies.
The Speaker put the question to a vote, asking members in favour of rescinding the earlier decision to indicate their support.
Following the vote, Mr Bagbin declared that the ayes had prevailed, confirming that Parliament had formally rescinded its earlier decision on the legislation.
The decision effectively reopens the parliamentary consideration of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, giving MPs another opportunity to examine its provisions and make the necessary corrections before the legislative process continues.
The review is expected to address inconsistencies in the bill, particularly those relating to its sentencing regime and the alignment of its provisions with existing criminal laws.
The rescission does not amount to rejection or abandonment of the proposed legislation. Rather, it allows Parliament to revisit its earlier decisions and ensure that the final version accurately reflects the resolutions adopted by the House.