The Minority in Parliament has asked the Speaker of the House, Alban Bagbin, to declare the seat of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant.
This follows the decision by the MPs for Agona West, Suhum and Amenfi Central to contest the upcoming elections as independent candidates.
Also, the caucus demands that the Fomena seat be declared vacant due to the decision by the independent MP to contest the 2024 polls on the ticket of the NPP.
The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson made the application to the Speaker on the floor of Parliament.
“A current independent member of the Fomena constituency in the Ashanti region, Andrew Asiamah has filed with the Electoral Commission to contest also as an NPP candidate, Cynthia Mamle Morrison the current Member of Parliament for the Agona West Constituency in the Central Region has filed with the Electoral Commission to contest as an independent Candidate. Mr. Speaker, Kwadjo Asante, the current NPP member for Suhum Constituency in the Eastern Region has also filed with the Electoral Commission to contest as an independent candidate.
“Mr. Speaker, a similar matter involving Hon. Andrew Amoako Asiamah was referred to this house by the New Patriotic Party, NPP in November 2020. The NPP argued that by his decision to contest as an independent candidate whilst he was a sitting NPP member of parliament, the Hon. Asiamah had vacated his seat in accordance with Article 97, (1) of the constitution. The then Speaker of Parliament, Right Hon. Mike Oqauye upheld the NPP’s position and took action to enforce Article 97, (1) of the constitution and ruled that the NPP Member of Parliament for Fomena then had vacated his seat by his decision and conduct and hence seize to be a sitting member of parliament.
“Mr. Speaker, this ruling was not contested and has still not been contested and remains good and valid as a rule of this house. Right, Hon. Speaker, we therefore call on you to the existing ruling of this house based on Article 97, 1 g and h. That decision, Mr. Speaker applies to all four ex-members of parliament, namely Peter Kwaakye Arkah, Hon. Andrew Amoako Asiamah, Hon. Cynthia Mamle Morrison and Hon. Kojo Asante,” he stated.
However, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the application lacked merit since no political party has petitioned the house demanding the declaration of the seats as vacant.
