KEY POINTS
- Supreme Court ruling will clarify Article 97(1) interpretation.
- Speaker declared four parliamentary seats vacant under Article 97(1).
- Plaintiff claims Article 97(1) only applies to current Parliament term.
The Supreme Court will issue a significant ruling today on the interpretation of Article 97(1) of the Constitution, which the Speaker of Parliament invoked to declare four parliamentary seats vacant. The decision aims to settle a legal dispute over the Speaker’s authority under Article 97(1)(g) and (h) to vacate seats in Parliament. This judgment could set a precedent on the application of the constitutional provision to parliamentary seats.
Supreme Court reviews Speaker’s power to declare seats vacant
A seven-member Supreme Court panel, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, set the judgment date following arguments presented by the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and Joe Ghartey, representing Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the plaintiff. The panel heard both sides on whether the Speaker’s action was within constitutional limits.
The plaintiff, Afenyo-Markin, argues that Article 97(1)(g) and (h) only applies to the current term of Parliament, claiming that the Speaker’s declaration is unconstitutional for addressing past legislative terms.
Seven-member panel hears arguments from Attorney General and plaintiff
In the case brought before the court, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, is listed as the first defendant, though he has chosen not to defend the action. The Attorney General supported the Speaker’s interpretation, while Ghartey argued that the provision does not grant the Speaker authority to declare seats vacant based on prior parliamentary terms.
The plaintiff seeks an interpretation that will limit the application of Article 97(1) to the current parliamentary term, contending that applying it retrospectively exceeds the Speaker’s constitutional powers.
The Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling will clarify the constitutional scope of Article 97(1) and the Speaker’s authority in declaring parliamentary seats vacant. This decision will impact the interpretation of legislative provisions, potentially reshaping the Speaker’s future decisions regarding members’ status in Parliament.
