Bagbin Rejects Request From NPP MPs To Recall Parliament: “It Would Not Be In The National Interest”

• The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has refused the request from the majority caucus to reconvene Parliament ahead of the December elections
• In a memo to the majority group in Parliament, Bagbin said MPs would reconvene after the elections
• The speaker argued that it was prudent that Parliament does not resume in the meantime since this could possibly distract MPs from the election season

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has refused the request to reconvene Parliament ahead of the December elections.

This is after the Majority Caucus appealed for an emergency recall to address pressing government business, possibly between November 28 and 29.

However, Citi News reported that the Speaker has maintained that parliamentary activities will remain on hold until after the elections.

Bagbin, in a memo to the majority on Tuesday, November 26, said MPs would resume sitting after the elections to complete all essential matters.

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“The national interest would better be served if members exhibit conduct of honour, empathy, and humility in the performance of their duties. In the circumstances, I am neither inclined nor disposed to exercise my discretion in favour of your request. The request is accordingly declined.”

The minority caucus had previously urged the Speaker of Parliament to dismiss the majority's request, saying it did not comply with parliamentary procedures.

This denial comes amid the impasse in Parliament over some seats being declared vacant. This led to boycotts from the majority MPs because their side had been negatively affected by the declaration which reduced their seats in Parliament to less than the minority MPs.

Bagbin had declared the seats for Fomena, Amenfi Central, Suhum, and Agona West vacant because their parliamentarians are contesting the 2024 election on a different ticket.

He had cited Article 97(1)(g) of the constitution, which guards against cross-carpeting.

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Bagbin also followed the precedent set by immediate-past Speaker of Parliament Aaron Mike Oquaye, who declared the seat of the Fomena MP vacant in 2020 under similar circumstances without any legal pushback.

His actions were, however, shot down by the Supreme Court after a legal challenge.

Worry over Bagbin's declaration

YEN.com.gh reported that at the time, law professor Stephen Kwaku Asare believed Bagbin's declaration had set a bad precedent.

He said the declaration could be used to stifle parliamentarians as they chart their political futures.

Asare argued that Bagbin wrongly applied the provision of Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 constitution and claimed he misinterpreted what the law was intended to achieve.

Proofread by Samuel Gitonga, Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh