NDC becomes the new majority

Story by: Joyce Kpeglo

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has announced the approval of a motion requiring four sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) to vacate their seats, following their declarations to run as independent candidates in the upcoming December elections.

The motion was filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu where she made arguments hinged on constitutional provisions governing the parliamentary system that state that, MPs must relinquish their positions if they abandon their party affiliations.

The MPs affected are Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), and Andrew Asiamah (Fomena).

MPs affected

Ruling on the matter in Parliament in Accra yesterday, Speaker Bagbin declared that “Honorable members it is important to point that the speaker is called upon by the standing orders of parliament particularly order 18 to inform the house of the occurrence of a vacancy of the seat of a member under clause (1) b to e, g and h of article 97 of the constitution. Accordingly, I will proceed to inform the house that by the notification of the polls, the MPs (Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), and Andrew Asiamah (Fomena)) are by their actions vacated their seats in parliament’.

Bagbin added that ,“These MPs cannot be allowed by law and my good self to continue to pretend to be representing people that they don’t believe in and don’t have any loyalty for in this house any longer. The house is accordingly so informed.”

The decision echoes a controversial precedent from 2020 when former Speaker Mike Oquaye expelled Andrew Asiamah from Parliament for similar reasons when the NPP moved for that motion. However, Bagbin clarified that his ruling stands independently and should not be seen as a continuation of Oquaye’s actions. “Each Speaker has the authority to make their own judgments,” he noted

Political analysts are divided on the implications of this ruling. Some view it as a necessary reinforcement of party loyalty, while others warn it could alienate voters who favor independent candidates. Former Speaker Oquaye had cautioned against allowing external parties to initiate such motions, suggesting it could lead to instability within the parliamentary system.

The ruling has also sparked a wave of discussions on social media, with many citizens expressing support for the Speaker’s decision, while others argue it undermines the democratic choice of voters. As the political landscape evolves, this ruling is set to shape the upcoming electoral strategies of the parties involved.