Today, the Supreme Court will deliver a pivotal ruling on the contested declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant, a case that has stirred significant political debate and scrutinized the constitutional authority of the Speaker of Parliament.
The challenge was initiated by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary caucus, opposing Speaker Alban Bagbin’s unilateral decision to declare these seats vacant. Afenyo-Markin contends that Bagbin acted beyond his authority, as the decision was made without judicial oversight or the initiation of by-elections.
Background of the Dispute
The controversy centers around Speaker Bagbin’s interpretation of the 1992 Constitution concerning parliamentary vacancies. On September 17, 2024, Bagbin declared the four seats vacant, asserting that the MPs had breached constitutional obligations, warranting their removal.
Afenyo-Markin argues that only the judiciary has the authority to interpret constitutional matters of this nature and asserts that Bagbin’s decision bypassed proper judicial process, effectively denying constituents their representation rights.
Following this, the Supreme Court imposed an injunction halting any action regarding the vacant seats until a final ruling. In response, Bagbin filed a motion to overturn the injunction, claiming that halting his decision undermined his role in upholding parliamentary integrity. However, the Court upheld the injunction, setting the stage for today’s anticipated judgment.
This landmark ruling is expected to clarify the constitutional boundaries of the Speaker’s powers, shaping the future of parliamentary governance in Ghana.
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