The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has adjourned today’s sitting amid the tensions surrounding the disputed parliamentary seats. Members of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) took over the Majority side of the chamber, leading to a walkout by New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs.
The walkout occurred after the NDC MPs, asserting their numerical strength in the chamber, occupied seats traditionally reserved for the Majority caucus. The opposition members argued that recent developments support their claim to hold the majority in the House.
This latest disruption follows the ruling by the Speaker on October 17, when he declared four parliamentary seats vacant. The decision, made in response to a request by NDC parliamentary leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, invoked Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which addresses absenteeism and seat occupancy.
The NPP challenged the Speaker’s ruling, prompting the Supreme Court to step in a day later and stay the decision.
The adjournment leaves critical questions unanswered, as the vacant seats controversy remains unresolved and continues to fuel political friction between the two major parties.
