Accra, Ghana//-The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) called for calm, restraint and peace following the Supreme Court’s directive on the controversial vacation of four parliamentary seats.
This comes after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, declared the seats of the Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant, a move that has since sparked political and legal debates across the country.
The issue gained national attention when Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson invoked Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, raising concerns about the presumed vacation of the four MPs’ seats.
Following the Speaker’s declaration on October 17, 2024, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, contested the Speaker’s authority, applying to the Supreme Court. The Court, in response, directed Parliament to allow the affected MPs to continue their duties until the matter is fully resolved.
CDD-Ghana acknowledges the situation’s complexity, emphasising that the matter presents an unprecedented challenge to the nation’s constitutional framework. With the 2024 general elections on the horizon, the think-tank stressed the need for all stakeholders to handle the issue carefully to prevent any political unrest.
In its press release late Monday night, CDD-Ghana urged Members of Parliament, political parties, the Executive, and the media to act responsibly and adhere to constitutional principles.
It further called for reflection on the constitutional provisions governing the vacation of parliamentary seats, particularly in election years, to avoid plunging the nation into further legal and political uncertainty.
The organisation also encouraged the Speaker and Parliament to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions while reminding them of their option to seek a review of the Court’s decision if necessary. Additionally, CDD-Ghana called for the expeditious resolution of any outstanding cases seeking to disqualify candidates from the upcoming elections, ensuring fairness in the electoral process.
CDD-Ghana concluded by urging all Ghanaians to maintain peace, respect the judicial process, and uphold the stability of Ghana’s democracy during these critical times.
Instructively, CDD-Ghana is an independent, non-profit think tank promoting democracy, good governance, and inclusive development in Ghana and beyond. The Center plays a pivotal role in election monitoring through its leadership in organisations like the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and the West Africa Election Observers Network (WAEON).
