Afenyo-Markin files injunction over Minority’s move to declare Independent MPs’ seats vacant

Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has filed an injunction application at the Supreme Court in response to the Minority’s bid to declare the seats of independent MPs vacant.

This move comes after former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu revealed plans to invoke Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution, which would vacate the seats of three Majority MPs and one NDC MP.

The article states that, a Member of Parliament must vacate their seat if they either leave the party under which they were elected or decide to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.

Haruna Iddrisu has already written to the Speaker, urging the declaration of these four parliamentary seats as vacant.

If the motion succeeds, the NDC, currently holding 137 seats, would become the Majority party, dramatically altering the balance of power in Parliament.

Presently, the House consists of 138 Majority MPs and 137 Minority MPs.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin expressed his reluctance to revisit the 2020 precedent, in which NPP MP Andrew Amoako Asiamah’s seat was declared vacant under similar circumstances.

He insists that the Supreme Court should resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, Constitutional lawyer, Justice Abdulai has said there is limited legal defense available for the four MPs at risk of losing their seats after choosing to contest as independent candidates in the upcoming elections.

He emphasized that the constitutional provision is straightforward, leaving little room for interpretation.

Source: Adomonline