Parliament reverses passage of Anti-LGBTQ+ bill over drafting errors

Parliament has overturned its previous decision to pass the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, following the discovery of inconsistencies between decisions made by lawmakers and the final version of the legislation.

The decision was announced by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, after MPs voted to withdraw the House’s earlier approval of the bill, which was passed at the third reading on May 29, 2026.

Mr Bagbin explained that the reversal followed concerns raised by Parliament’s Legislation Drafting Department after examining the final document.

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The department reportedly identified discrepancies between the positions adopted by MPs during parliamentary deliberations and the provisions captured in the completed draft.

Addressing lawmakers, the Speaker said the drafting department had detected the errors while reviewing the legislation but lacked the authority to correct them without referring the matter back to Parliament.

He explained that although the department was responsible for putting parliamentary decisions into proper legal language, it could not independently alter decisions already taken by the House.

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According to Mr. Bagbin, the identified inconsistencies therefore required Parliament to revisit the bill and take the necessary decisions to ensure the final document accurately reflected the intentions of lawmakers.

Following his explanation, the speaker put the motion to a vote, asking members who supported the reversal to indicate their position.

The motion was carried, with Mr. Bagbin subsequently declaring that Parliament had rescinded its earlier decision on the third reading of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, adopted on May 29, 2026.

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The development means the controversial legislation will return for further consideration, allowing MPs to review the disputed provisions and make the necessary corrections before any subsequent parliamentary action.

Among the areas expected to receive further attention are the proposed sentencing provisions and other sections of the bill that require clarification.

Parliament’s latest decision does not amount to a final rejection of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill. Rather, it reopens the legislative process to give lawmakers another opportunity to address the identified drafting inconsistencies and reconsider aspects of the proposed legislation.