Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has approved a motion leading to the declaration of four Members of Parliament (MPs) seats as vacant.
The motion, filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, contends that the MPs—who are running as independent candidates in the upcoming December elections—must relinquish their parliamentary positions in accordance with constitutional provisions.
MPs affected by the decision
The MPs affected by this ruling include Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).
According to the motion, by declaring their intention to contest as independents, these MPs have effectively severed ties with their political parties, thereby vacating their seats in Parliament.
Bagbin’s ruling
In his ruling, Speaker Bagbin explained that the parliamentary standing orders, particularly Order 18, require the Speaker to inform the House of any vacancy occurring under Article 97 (1) of the Constitution.
“Honourable members, it is important to point out that the Speaker is called upon by the standing orders of Parliament… to inform the house of the occurrence of a vacancy of the seat of a member,” Bagbin stated, confirming that the four MPs’ seats were vacated due to their actions.
Similarity to the 2020 Fomena Incident
Bagbin’s ruling draws parallels to a similar case in 2020 when then-Speaker Mike Oquaye declared Andrew Asiamah’s seat vacant after the MP opted to run as an independent.
However, Bagbin emphasized that Oquaye’s decision does not set a precedent, and that each Speaker has the authority to make their own ruling on such matters.
Concerns from Former Speaker Oquaye
Before Bagbin’s ruling, former Speaker Mike Oquaye expressed concerns that such petitions should come directly from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), rather than external parties.
He urged that the current Speaker should avoid entertaining motions to declare the seats vacant, though Bagbin ultimately moved forward with the ruling.
