The minority in Parliament has announced a boycott of all subsequent parliamentary proceedings until the Supreme Court delivers its judgment on the contentious issue surrounding four Members of Parliament (MPs).
This decision comes on the heels of the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s declaration of the seats vacant, which the NPP opposes.
The four affected MPs, Andrew Asiamah Amoako (Fomena), Peter Kwakye-Ackah (Amenfi Central), Cynthia Mamle Morrison (Agona East), and Kwadwo Asante (Suhum), had chosen to run as independent candidates in the upcoming December 7 general elections.
According to Article 97 of the 1992 Constitution, a Member of Parliament must resign their seat if they quit the party they were elected with to become independent or if an independent member joins a political party.
Former Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, addressing the press, emphasized the minority’s stance, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the Speaker’s ruling.
Afenyo-Markin, now the Minority Leader following the Speaker’s judgement, stressed that the minority will not participate in parliamentary proceedings until the Supreme Court weighs in on the matter.
The novel situation in Parliament has severe political consequences with the Supreme court poised to step in the coming weeks to resolve an impending impasse in government business with less than 3 months to the December 7 polls.
