Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has described the ruling by the Supreme Court to the effect that deputy speakers can vote while presiding as a reckless incursion into the remit of Parliament.
In a statement, he said he had resisted the temptation from commenting on the issue but the “myopic comment of the President has compelled me to let it out”.
He further opined that “The trend of unanimity is equally troubling. It doesn’t help explore and expand our legal jurisprudence.
The President’s comment is myopic and unfortunately. It only goes to worsen the schism between the Executive and Parliament.
The impartiality of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, or Presiding Officer has been treasured and fought for by this country throughout our democratic development.”
Read his full statement below
Good morning comrades. I have resisted the temptation of making a comment on the judgment of the Supreme Court on the issue of the voting rights of Deputy Speakers when presiding. But the unfortunate and myopic comment of the President has compelled me to let it out.
The SC decision, is to say the least, not only an absurdity but a reckless incursion into the remit of Parliament.
The trend of unanimity is equally troubling. It doesn’t help explore and expand our legal jurisprudence.
The President’s comment is myopic and unfortunately. It only goes to worsen the schism between the Executive and Parliament.
The impartiality of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker or Presiding Officer has been treasured and fought for by this country throughout our democratic development.
Mr President, the issue being discussed is not about Parliament being above the law. Everyone knows that Parliament is not above the law. The Executive and the Judiciary are equally not above the law. The issue being discussed is the political question doctrine. It took centuries to detail out the strands of this doctrine and the principles are settled as to when and how this closed book could be opened.