Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has approved a motion that calls for four Members of Parliament (MPs) to vacate their seats.
The motion was filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu and argued that the MPs, who are seeking to contest the upcoming December elections as independent candidates, must relinquish their parliamentary positions as outlined in the constitutional provisions governing parliamentary membership.
The affected MPs—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central) and Andrew Asiamah (Fomena),
The MPs affected by this decision are Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).
The motion highlights the interpretation that by announcing their intent to run as independents, these MPs have effectively forfeited their party affiliations, thus vacating their seats in Parliament.
Ruling on the matter in Parliament in Accra on Thursday, Bagbin indicated that “Honourable 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 following MPs are by their actions vacated their seats in parliament.
“The members are Honourable Peter Kwakye-Ackah, NDC MP for Amenfi Central, in the Western region now referred to as an independent Parliamentary Candidate for the same constituency. 2. Honourable Andrew Amoako Asiamah independent member for Fomena constituency in Ashanti region now referred to as NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency. 3. Honourable Kwadjo Asante NPP MP for Suhum now referred to as independent candidate for the same constituency and finally Honourable Cynthia Mamle Morrison NPP MP for Agona West constituency in the central region now referred to as independent candidate for the same constituency.
“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.”
