“WE REFUSE TO REMAIN PASSIVE WHILE THE PILLARS OF OUR DEMOCRACY ARE BEING COMPROMISED,” – NPP MPs

In his ruling on Thursday evening, October 17, following a petition submitted by the Minority last Tuesday, Speaker of Parliament Alban S.K. Bagbin declared that four MPs had vacated their seats due to their decision to contest the December 7, 2024 parliamentary election in different capacities, either as independent candidates or under a different political party.

The four MPs are Cynthia Mamle Morrison (Agona West) and Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), both from the NPP, who have filed to run as independent candidates, and Peter Kwakye-Ackah (Amenfi Central) from the NDC, who is also contesting the next election as an independent candidate.

Additionally, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, MP for Fomena and the Second Deputy Speaker, who was elected as an independent candidate, has chosen to run in the next election under the NPP’s ticket.

The Speaker’s ruling now shifts the parliamentary majority to the NDC, which holds 136 seats, while the NPP now has 135 seats.

Article 97 states the grounds on which an MP may vacate the seat: “1) A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament—

“(g) if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member; or

“(h) if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party.