A private legal practitioner, Prince Benson Mankotam, has defended the Clerk of Parliament’s decision to notify the Electoral Commission (EC) of a vacancy in the Kpandai Constituency, rejecting Minority claims that the letter was unlawful.
He explained that the Clerk acted strictly within the constitutional timeframe triggered by the Tamale High Court’s November 24 ruling, which annulled the Kpandai parliamentary election and ordered a rerun.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Lawyer Mankotam stressed that the law is clear on when action must be taken once Parliament becomes aware of such a judgment.
“From the day the judgment is given up to seven days, there is an automatic stay, but after the seven days, you can execute the judgment,” he said. “The Clerk had a duty that had to be performed within that period.”
He argued that the Minority’s objections—based on the filing of an appeal and a judicial review application—do not prevent the Clerk from acting, unless a court expressly issues a stay of execution.
“The mere filing of a judicial review does not stop a constitutional duty,” he noted. Adding that, “Why would I, as Clerk, wait to be compelled by a court to do my work when I know it must be done?”
Despite the strong pushback from the Minority, the Electoral Commission has gone ahead to fix December 30, 2025, for the Kpandai parliamentary rerun.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
