Minority in parliament signals parliamentary takeover following NPP defections

The Minority Caucus in parliament has signaled its intention to trigger a process that would cause the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to lose its majority status.

The National Democratic Congress’ parliamentary maneuver comes as 2nd Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah filed to contest in the Fomena Constituency on the ticket of the ruling party while MPs in the Majority caucus defect to independent status.

Mr. Asiamah’s filing means he could lose his position as Article 96 of the Constitution bars both first and second deputy speakers from coming from same party.

The 1st Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Wusu is a member of the New Patriotic Party representing the people of Bekwai in the Ashanti Region.

The constitution is clear on party affiliations of House Deputy Speakers.

“1) There shall be two Deputy Speakers of Parliament—

(a) who shall be elected by the members of Parliament from among the members of Parliament; and

(b) both of whom shall not be members of the same political party.

(2) The members of Parliament shall elect a person to the office of Deputy Speaker when Parliament first meets after a dissolution of Parliament and if the office becomes vacant otherwise than by reason of a dissolution of Parliament, at the first sitting of Parliament after the office becomes vacant,” the first two clauses of Article 96 reads.

Other incumbent MPs in the Majority caucus who also filed to contest as independent candidates include  Cynthia Morrison of Agona Central and Oboafo Kwadjo Asante.

Article 97 (1) (g) of the 1992 Constitution states that an
MP shall vacate his seat “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.

Article 97 (1) (h) also stipulates that a Member of Parliament must vacate his seat “if he was elected a Member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party”.

Speaking to Parliamentary Correspondent Ibrahim Alhassan, MP for Pru East, Dr. Kwabena Donkor disclosed the standing orders are clear and thus the NDC will constitute the majority when MPs return from the break sometime in October.

 The three-term Member of Parliament explained that if the NPP loses its majority status, the Akufo-Addo administration-sponsored “controversial business may not even be tabled and if they are tabled, they will be defeated”.

“You cannot change the ticket on which you came to Parliament. We know that some MPs have had their status changed. We are just waiting for the Electoral Commission to finally come out with a list of candidates who have filed.

“Once that happens, you will find three or four people, MPs, whose status will have changed and because of the change in their status,” he pointed out, “they cannot be MPs if we are to respect our constitution.”