Ahead of his announcement, many across the country had anticipated that the Speaker would address the Supreme Court’s directive to stay his declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant—a move that altered the composition of the House, making the National Democratic Congress (NDC) the Majority Caucus.
However, Speaker Bagbin did not focus extensively on the Supreme Court’s challenge. Instead, he explained that his decision to adjourn Parliament followed a meeting with the House’s leadership and was due to the absence of the necessary quorum to make decisions.
This came in light of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs boycotting Parliament, likely until the Supreme Court rules on the substantive matter of the vacant seats declaration.
Here is what Speaker Bagbin said before the adjournment:
Honourable members, as you may recall, on Thursday, I informed the House pursuant to Standing Order 18 of the Standing Orders of Parliament on the occurrence of vacancies in the House in relation to four honourable members.
Yesterday, I received a process from the Supreme Court, which is a ruling pursuant to an ex-parte application directing Parliament to recognise and allow the four affected Members of Parliament to duly represent their constituents and conduct the full scope of duties of their offices as Members of Parliament, pending the final determination of a suit filed by Honourable Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
By Article 102 of the 1992 Constitution and Order 64(1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, I note that we currently have a quorum to transact business, but not to take decisions. I want to read the said Article 102 of the Constitution, which states: ‘A quorum of Parliament, apart from the person presiding, shall be one-third of all the Members of Parliament, as presently constituted.’
The numbers definitely are far above one-third of the Members of Parliament, but by Article 104, the numbers are not sufficient for us to take decisions. Let me quote Article 104. Article 104(1) says, ‘Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, matters in Parliament shall be determined by the votes of the majority of members present and voting, with at least half of all the Members of Parliament present.’ Honourable members, we don’t have at least half of all the Members of Parliament present.
Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there is a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament, and having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in Parliament, I will proceed to, in accordance with Standing Orders 59, adjourn the House indefinitely, that is sine die.
I want to quote Standing Order 59(1), which states: ‘The Speaker may, in consultation with leadership, suspend a meeting of the House indefinitely or for a period determined by the Speaker, having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in the country.’
Honourable members, I have consulted leadership, and I am exercising my discretion to decide to suspend the meeting of the House indefinitely. The House is accordingly adjourned sine die.
Watch the Speaker’s remarks in the video below:
