Abetifi Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Bryan Acheampong has reacted to plans by the Minority to invoke Article 97 for the House to declare the seats of some MPs vacant over their decision to contest as independent candidates in the 2024 election.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture has described it as a waste of time and an exercise in futility.
“Between now and December 7, they can change their minds and as of now, people are engaging them in that regard. If you want to cross carpet, you must declare it on the floor of Parliament and the seat will be declared vacant for a bye-election.
These are the proper constitutional provision and that supersedes another provision someone will do at the constituency or in the political party,” he said.
Former Minority Leader and Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu has raised concerns over the decision of some colleagues to switch allegiance ahead of the December 7 election.
He cited the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, independent MP for Fomena, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, who has filed his nomination to contest the 2024 parliamentary election on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The others are Cynthia Mamle Morrison of Agona East and Kwadwo Asante of Suhum, all of whom are currently in NPP MPs but have filed to contest as independent candidates.
Addressing a campaign event in the Tamale North constituency, Haruna Iddrisu stated that he will invoke Article 97 of the 1992 Constitution on Tuesday when Parliament reconvenes.
Article 97 (1) (g) states that: A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat “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.”
“(h) if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party.
But in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday, Dr Acheampong stated he would not advice the Minority to go such route.
“How will the NDC form the majority? any attempt to do that will amount to nothing; it will be a waste of time and legal gymnastics; it will not work
“Any legal process to do that is a sign of weak mind I don’t think they should engage in that. It will not amount to anything in law, facts and parliamentary procedure because they know what the law says. It’s a complete waste of time,” he added.
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