The Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin, has filed an application at the Supreme Court to stop the Speaker from declaring four seats vacant. This move is in response to Former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu’s plans to petition the Speaker to declare those seats vacant since the MPs in question are contesting the upcoming December elections as independent candidates.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, Article 97 (1g) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana states that MPs who change their original platform must lose their seat. However, Afenyo Markin is having none of it, and his lawyers have filed an injunction to block this action.
It’s worth noting that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has previously cautioned the leadership of the majority and minority groups against delaying parliamentary work . This development adds another layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between the two groups.
Currently, with the NPP having 138 MPs and NDC having 137 MPs, the balance of power in the House tilts towards the governing NPP with a slim majority. However, if the petition to declare these four seats vacant succeeds, the balance of power is likely to tilt towards the NDC who would become the Majority.
This development is bound to raise the tension in the House in this final meeting and run the risk of going the route which characterized the beginning of this particular Eighth Parliament.
Key Points:
- The Dispute: Four MPs are contesting the December elections as independent candidates, prompting Haruna Iddrisu to petition for their seats to be declared vacant.
- The Majority Leader’s Response: Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin has filed an injunction at the Supreme Court to block this action.
- Constitutional Basis: Article 97 (1) (g) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana is being cited as the reason for declaring the seats vacant.
- Implications: This development could further strain the relationship between the majority and minority groups in Parliament.
- Source: Clement Akoloh/parliamentnews360.com
