The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has defended Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant, stating it was both lawful and in line with Ghana’s Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, October 20, Dr. Forson explained that the affected MPs had violated Article 97(1)(g) and (h) by either filing to contest the 2024 elections as independent candidates or switching political affiliations. This prompted the Speaker’s declaration, which temporarily shifted the balance of power in Parliament towards the NDC.
“The effect of the Speaker’s declaration is that we no longer have an independent Member of Parliament. The NPP now holds 135 seats, while the NDC, with 136 seats, forms the Majority Caucus,” Dr. Forson remarked.
Although the Supreme Court has since placed a stay on Bagbin’s decision, Dr. Forson reaffirmed the NDC’s determination to defend its new majority status, arguing that the Speaker’s decision followed parliamentary rules and was constitutionally sound.
