Bagbin declares Agona West, Fomena, two other seats vacant

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 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.

This ruling underscore the ongoing tensions in Ghana’s political landscape, especially as the elections approach. The decision could have significant implications for both the MPs involved and the electoral dynamics within their constituencies.

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.”

Source: citinewsroom