Parliament adjourned its sitting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, after Speaker Alban Bagbin read the order paper for the day’s proceedings.
The Speaker noted that there was no quorum to make decisions and, in accordance with Standing Order 59, adjourned the House indefinitely.
“On Thursday, I informed the House, pursuant to Standing Order 18 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, of the occurrence of vacancies in relation to four honourable members. Yesterday, I received a process from the Supreme Court—a ruling on an ex parte application directing Parliament to recognise and allow the four affected Members of Parliament to continue representing their constituents and conducting their duties pending the final determination of a suit filed by Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin.”
Speaker Bagbin further clarified that while there was a quorum to conduct business, it was insufficient to make decisions. Citing Article 102 of the 1992 Constitution and Order 64(1) of the Standing Orders, he stated that although more than one-third of MPs were present, Article 104 requires at least half of all MPs to be present to vote on decisions.
“Honourable Members, we do not have half of the members present today,” he explained. “Therefore, in view of the current circumstances, and the fact that there is a question regarding the composition and constitution of Parliament, I will proceed, in accordance with Standing Order 59, to adjourn the House indefinitely, or sine die.”
Reports suggest that the Speaker has instructed his legal team to challenge the Supreme Court’s order regarding the four vacant seats.
Meanwhile, New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs were notably absent from the afternoon session. Tensions between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had escalated earlier, with opposition NDC MPs occupying seats traditionally reserved for the Majority. This bold move followed Speaker Bagbin’s October 17 ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant, reducing the NPP’s numbers and shifting the balance of power toward the NDC.
The absence of NPP MPs from Tuesday’s proceedings underscored the ongoing dispute. The NPP, already weakened by the Speaker’s ruling, had filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, which stayed the ruling, allowing the affected MPs to continue their duties pending a final decision.
Despite these legal challenges, the Minority asserted their newfound numerical advantage by taking over the Majority’s seats, intensifying the power struggle between the two parties.
