KEY POINTS
- NDC declares majority after parliamentary seats declared vacant.
- Supreme court ruling suspends speaker’s decision.
- NDC plans to remove e-levy and other taxes to ease economic pressure.
After the Speaker declared four parliamentary seats vacant, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) faction in Parliament has claimed to have the majority.
This change gave the NDC more confidence, and they promised to protect their new majority position and keep working for the people’s interests.
Vacancies lead to majority shift
The composition of Parliament has changed as a result of the four seats being declared empty, with MPs running as independent candidates in the upcoming election.
It was determined that the impacted MPs, including Andrew Asiamah Amoako and Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, had broken Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution. In accordance with Order 18 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Speaker therefore proclaimed their seats empty, giving the NDC a fresh majority of 136 members as opposed to the fresh Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 135 members.
The NDC caucus leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, stated during a news conference that they would defend their recently obtained status and not give it up. He also stated that the Speaker acted within his constitutional authority in making the declaration.
Supreme Court halts vacancies
The Supreme Court recently postponed the declaration, citing the possible disenfranchisement of the MPs’ constituents, despite the Speaker’s decision.
Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo led a five-member panel that decided the declaration was unconstitutional because it violated the rights of voters.
According to Graphic Online, the NDC insists that the Speaker’s actions were legal and ought to be respected, even though this has momentarily stopped the transfer of legislative authority.
Dr. Forson underlined that no court should dispute the actions of Parliament. “Any interference with the business of Parliament is unlawful, unacceptable, and shall be resisted,” he stated. The NDC caucus maintains that their purpose in Parliament is to defend the rights of common Ghanaians.
Plans for parliamentary reform
The NDC has stated that it will present private members’ legislation to lessen the financial burden on Ghanaians as part of its new majority.
These plans include doing away with the e-Levy and getting rid of taxes on gambling and other annoyances. Ghana has become a high-tax regime under the present NPP-led administration, according to Dr. Forson, who also pledged that the NDC would use its majority to ease the financial burden on residents and businesses.
In addition, the NDC urged Ghanaians to stand together and support Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, whom they commended for his leadership and impartiality.
