The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has taken bold action by filing a writ at the Accra High Court against Speaker Alban Bagbin.
This move comes as part of an ongoing dispute regarding the status of four vacant legislative seats.
The writ seeks to compel the Speaker to definitively state whether the four vacant positions remain occupied or if they have been officially relinquished due to the lawmakers’ decision to run in elections under different political affiliations.
Specifically, the MP is asking the court to determine if Members of Parliament (MPs) such as Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena Constituency), Cynthia Mamle Morrison (Agona West Constituency), Kwadwo Asante (Sojom Constituency), and Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah (Amenfi Central Constituency) have indeed vacated their seats to pursue electoral opportunities outside their original party lines.
Furthermore, the writ demands that any future compositions of Parliament including these individuals post-October 17 would be considered unlawful and invalid.
This assertion stems from Dafeamekpor’s belief that the Speaker’s actions align with provisions outlined in Articles 97(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution, which govern the conduct of parliamentarians.
In essence, Dafeamekpor is seeking an injunction requiring the Speaker to bar these specific MPs from participating in parliamentary activities until their statuses are clarified.
He argues that this measure ensures compliance with constitutional requirements and maintains integrity within the legislative body.
The impasse has also led Parliament itself into an extended recess since the Supreme Court recently expressed objections over the declaration of vacant seats by the Speaker.
The development has ignited intense discussions among jurists and legal experts both locally and internationally.
Below is the writ:
Source:: www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
