The Members of Parliament (MP) of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have threatened to take immediate action against New Patriotic Party Members of Parliament who have declared their intentions to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections as independent candidates.
The decision comes after four NPP Members of Parliament have declared to contest as independent candidates.
Speaking during a campaign launch in Tamale North, the Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, hinted that the Minority Caucus will trigger processes to compel the Members of Parliament to vacate their seats. He stated that the 4th Republican Parliament will undergo a constitutional test that will result in the NDC Minority becoming the Majority in Parliament.
He has assured that they plan to invoke Article 97 of the speaker' s orders of the constitution during the next parliamentary session on Tuesday, which would effectively shift their status from minority to Majority in Parliament.
According to him, the NDC lawmakers will start the process once Parliament reconvenes this week.
" If a member of parliament on a political party ticket like NPP decides to file as an independent candidate, that member ceases to become a member of parliament. If an independent member of parliament, by provision of Article 97, sub- clause G, decides to join a political party, he also loses constitutional recognition and does not belong to parliament. And even if an NDC candidate, MP, decides to become an independent, he ceases to be a member of parliament" , he said.
The Eight Parliament is a hung Parliament as the Majority and the Minority have the same number of Members of Parliament with one independent candidate who works with the Majority.
If the NDC can compel the four NPP Members of Parliament to vacate their seats, it means their side will form the Majority in the house. It will make governance very difficult for President Nana Akufo Addo.
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