The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has now assumed Majority in Parliament following the declaration of four seats in the House vacant.
The four MPs, one belonging to the NDC, two to the NPP and an independent candidate who was doing business with the then Majority, have all vacated their seats according to the Speaker’s ruling.
This is because three of them have chosen to contest as independent candidates, with the independent candidate deciding to contest on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.
The NPP now has 135 MPs in the House, with the NDC having 136, making the opposition which was Minority now becoming Majority.
“The following Members of Parliament have by their actions vacated their seats in Parliament,” Bagbin said in his ruling.
The Minority sought to have the seats of Agona West MP Cynthia Morrison, Suhum MP Kwadwo Asante, and Amenfi Central MP Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah declared vacant.
They also argued that the Fomena seat should be declared vacant following the Independent MP’s decision to contest the 2024 elections under the NPP’s banner.
Instigated by Haruna Iddrisu, former Minority Leader, the petition invoked Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution, which stipulates that an MP must vacate his or her seat if the person abandons the political party under which they were elected, or if they opt to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.
Alban Bagbin, the Speaker, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, deferred the ruling on the Minority’s petition seeking to declare the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant.
He said he needed more time to think through the issue to come out with a ruling, which was given today, Thursday, October 17.
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