The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, has declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
The MPs affected by this ruling include Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah from Amenfi Central in the Western Region of the NDC, Andrew Amoako Asiamah of Fomena in the Ashanti Region, Kojo Asante of Suhum in the Eastern Region of the NPP and Cynthia Morrison of Agona West constituency in the Central Region of the NPP.
This decision follows significant deliberations and arguments from both the Majority and Minority sides of the House, based on a petition filed by former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.
As a result of the ruling, the balance of power in Ghana’s hung parliament shifts. The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), which previously held a slim Majority with 138 MPs with the backing of Independent MP Andrew Amoako Asiamah, will now have 135 seats.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will gain an advantage, increasing their representation to 136 MPs.
The petition, citing Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution, mandates that an MP must vacate their seat if they leave the party under which they were elected or attempt to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.
Story by: Alexander Kuuku Osei-Baidoo | univers.ug.edu.gh
