The Majority in Parliament has described as evil the decision by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to declare seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant for switching allegiance.
In a major political development, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, has officially declared four parliamentary seats vacant. The affected constituencies are Amenfi Central, Fomena, Agona West, and Suhum.
The decision follows a formal petition submitted to the Speaker by Haruna Iddrisu, a prominent Member of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Minority Leader.
The petition triggered extensive debates and arguments within Parliament, with both the Majority and Minority sides presenting their cases.
Addressing the media in parliament majority leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin argued the speaker only did the bidding of the NDC with his ruling questioning its basis in Parliamentary practice.
The Effutu MP further reiterated his side will boycott Parliament until the Supreme Court makes a final determination on the matter.
Impact on Parliamentary Composition
If these seats remain vacant, it would alter the current makeup of Parliament, with the NDC holding 136 seats and the NPP controlling 135 seats. This shift could have significant implications for future legislative proceedings, including the approval of crucial bills and motions.
Next Steps
While the Speaker has made his ruling, it is expected that legal challenges may arise from the affected MPs or their respective parties. The Supreme Court may eventually be called upon to provide a definitive interpretation of Article 97 and its application in this case.
The declaration marks another critical moment in Ghana’s parliamentary democracy, with the Speaker emphasizing the need to respect the Constitution while ensuring that the people’s mandate is not undermined.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
