Speaker Alban Bagbin has adjourned Parliament indefinitely. This decision follows the ongoing controversy surrounding his ruling on the vacant seats in Parliament.
Speaker Bagbin addressed the house, stating:
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 recognize 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 a final determination of a suit filed by Honourable Alexander Afenyo Markin.
By Article 102 of the Constitution, 1992, 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.
It reads: ‘A quorum of Parliament, apart from the person presiding, shall be one-third of all the Members of Parliament.’ As presently constituted, the number is far above one-third of the Members of Parliament. But by Article 104, the numbers are not sufficient for us to take decisions, and I will quote Article 104. Article 104(1) says: ‘Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, matters in Parliament shall be determined by the vote of the majority of members present and voting, with at least half of all the Members of Parliament present.’ Honourable members, we do not 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 Order 59, adjourn the House indefinitely. That is sine die. I want to refer to Standing Order 59(1).
