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Speaker Bagbin has adjourned Parliament indefinitely due to the ongoing controversy surrounding his ruling on vacant seats in the House.
In his address to the members, Bagbin stated:
“Honourable members, as you may recall, on Thursday, I informed the House, pursuant to Standing Order 18 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, about the occurrence of vacancies in relation to four honourable members.
Yesterday, I received a process from the Supreme Court directing Parliament to recognize and allow the four affected Members of Parliament to duly represent their constituents and conduct their full duties as MPs, pending a final determination of a suit filed by Honourable Alexander Afenyo Markin.
According to Article 102 of the Constitution, 1992, and Order 64(1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, I note that we currently have a quorum to transact business but not sufficient numbers to make decisions. I want to read Article 102 of the Constitution.
It states: ‘A quorum of Parliament, apart from the person presiding, shall be one-third of all Members of Parliament.’ As it stands, we are above one-third of the Members. However, Article 104 indicates that we do not have enough members present for decision-making. Article 104(1) specifies: ‘Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, matters in Parliament shall be determined by the vote of the majority of members present and voting, with at least half of all Members present.’ Honourable members, we do not have at least half of all Members present.
Therefore, considering the current circumstances and the question regarding the composition and constitution of Parliament, along with public interest and the exigencies of parliamentary affairs, I will proceed to adjourn the House indefinitely in accordance with Standing Order 59. This is sine die. I refer to Standing Order 59(1).
It states: ‘The Speaker may, in consultation with leadership, suspend a meeting of the House indefinitely or for a period determined by the Speaker, having regard to public interest and the exigencies of state affairs.’ Honourable members, I have consulted leadership and am exercising my discretion to suspend a meeting of the House indefinitely. The House is accordingly adjourned sine die.”
This decision follows a tumultuous day characterized by heated disputes between Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over which caucus holds the Majority.
During his announcement, Speaker Bagbin briefly mentioned receiving communication from the Supreme Court directing him to stay his earlier ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant. However, he did not elaborate on this communication’s details.
The Supreme Court’s intervention has put a hold on Bagbin’s ruling made on October 17, which declared four seats vacant due to alleged breaches by their occupants regarding party affiliation. The affected MPs include Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).
The absence of NPP MPs during this session resulted in a lack of quorum necessary for conducting official business, prompting Bagbin’s decision to adjourn Parliament indefinitely.
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