Formal communication on the current state of Parliament

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin yesterday adjourned the house indefinitely following the controversy surrounding a ruling on Thursday.

The Speaker’s ruling declared four seats vacant.

This caused the leader of the NPP MPs, Alexander Afenyo Markin to take an action at the Supreme Court against the Speaker’s ruling.

The Supreme Court in its ruling granted a stay of execution against the Speaker’s ruling.

Consequently, Parliament sat yesterday over the matter and the Speaker gave these orders.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read below

1. Hon. Members, as you may recall on Thursday, I informed the House pursuant to Order 18 of the Standing Orders on the occurrence of vacancies in the House in relation to 4 Members.
2. Yesterday, I received a process from the Supreme Court, which is a ruling from the Supreme Court, pursuant to an Ex Parte application, directing Parliament to recognise and allow the 4 affected Members of Parliament to duly represent their constituents and conduct full scope of duties of their offices as Members of Parliament pending final determination of a suit filed by Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin.
3. By Articles 102 and 104 of the Constitution, 1992, and Order 64(1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, I note that we currently have a quorum to transact business but not to take decisions. Read Articles 102, 104 of the Constitution, and Standing Orders 64(1).
4. Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there is a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament and having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in Parliament, I will proceed to, in accordance with Standing Orders 59(1), adjourn the House indefinitely, ie, sine die.

Standing Orders 59 (1)
“The Speaker may, in consultation with leadership, suspend a meeting of the House indefinitely or for a period determined by the Speaker, having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in the country. “

5. Hon Members, I have consulted leadership, and I am exercising my discretion to suspend the meeting of the House indefinitely.
6. The House is accordingly adjourned.

Thank you.