NDC To Be Declared Majority As Parliament Resumes Today?

Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced his intention to invoke Article 97 of the 1992 Constitution in an effort to challenge the status of four members of Parliament. Speaking at a campaign event in the Tamale North Constituency on October 12, Mr. Iddrisu revealed that he plans to initiate the process when Parliament reconvenes, seeking to have the seats of the MPs declared vacant due to alleged constitutional violations.

The legal move, according to Mr. Iddrisu, is based on provisions in Article 97 of the Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which a member of Parliament may lose their seat. He emphasized that this constitutional test could have significant implications for the composition of the legislature, potentially shifting the balance of power in favor of the Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC), thereby allowing it to claim a majority in Parliament.

Citing Article 97, Mr. Iddrisu highlighted specific clauses that prohibit MPs from switching political parties or maintaining their seats as independents after leaving their original political affiliation. According to the article, “A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament… (g) if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member; or (h) if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party.”

Mr. Iddrisu expressed confidence in the outcome of the process, stating, “Parliament must adhere to the Constitution, and I am confident the Speaker will declare these seats vacant when the article is invoked.” He further referenced Speaker Alban Bagbin as a key figure in overseeing the constitutional proceedings.

This development is poised to be a major test for Parliament and could significantly alter the political landscape depending on the outcome of the challenge. If successful, the NDC could gain a strategic advantage in Parliament, enhancing its influence in the legislative process.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com