Lawyers representing the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, have filed an Ex-parte application to challenge the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to declare the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant.
According to the legal team, the Speaker’s decision could stall the business of government, potentially making the administration unpopular.
The lawyers argued that the Speaker’s move amounted to a violation of the constitutional rights of the constituents represented by the four MPs. By declaring their seats vacant, the Speaker effectively denied the constituents their right to representation, they claimed.
Furthermore, the legal team contended that the Speaker overstepped his authority by interpreting Article 97 of the Constitution, which governs the vacation of parliamentary seats.
According to Afenyo-Markin’s lawyers, such an interpretation falls under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, not the Speaker of Parliament.
The filing of nominations by the four MPs in question, the lawyers argued, does not equate to “carpet crossing,” or defecting from one political party to another, which would justify the declaration of vacant seats.
“We foresee a likely chaos and disturbance if the pre-ruling status quo is not maintained,” the legal team warned, emphasizing the need to revert to the situation before the Speaker’s ruling to avoid potential instability.
The legal challenge underscores the tension between the Speaker and the Majority in Parliament, with significant implications for the government’s operations moving forward.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
