Breaking News: Speaker of Parliament Declares Four Seats Vacant

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has declared four parliamentary seats vacant, effective immediately. The decision comes after a motion filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, citing constitutional provisions governing parliamentary membership.
The motion specifically mentions Cynthia Morrison of Agona West, Kojo Asante of Suhum, Andrew Asiamah of Fomena, and Peter Kwakye Ackah of Amenfi Central, who announced their intention to contest the upcoming December elections as independent candidates, thereby forfeiting their party affiliations and vacating their seats in Parliament.

Article 97 of the constitution, which governs parliamentary membership, states that an MP’s seat becomes vacant if they cease to be a member of the political party they represented.

Speaker Bagbin emphasized that his ruling was based on the constitutional provisions and standing orders of Parliament.

“Honorable members, it is important to point out 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,” Bagbin stated.

This decision has significant implications for the affected MPs and the electoral dynamics within their constituencies, as Ghana prepares for the December elections.

The ruling underscores the ongoing tensions in Ghana’s political landscape, highlighting the complexities of the country’s electoral system.