Re BOOK ALERT: 
Welcome
....to JusticeGhana Group
JusticeGhana is a Non-Governmental [and-not-for- profit] Organization (NGO) with a strong belief in Justice, Security and Progress....” More Details
3 Independent MPs must vacate their seats - Osudoku MP demands
- Details
- Parent Category: Our Country
- Category: Politics
- Created on Monday, 24 September 2012 00:00
- Hits: 2767
3 Independent MPs must vacate their seats - Osudoku MP demands
A Member of Parliament for Shai Osudoku is asking three independent MPs to vacate their seats for crossing carpets to the opposition New Patriotic Party.David Tetteh Assumeng argues the three MPs have violated the constitution and must bear the consequences.
The three Independent Members of Parliament who contested in Saturday's primaries of the opposition New Patriotic Party had mixed fortunes.
Whilst Joe Osei Owusu won the Bekwai primaries, Nana Yaw Ofori-Kuragu, MP for Bosome Freho constituency, and Seth Adjei-Baah MP for Nkawkaw both lost the primaries.
Citing Article 97(1)(h) of the constitution which states; “A Member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party” Tetteh Asumeng said the three MPs must bow out of Parliament for violating the law.He told Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoh, the Speaker Joyce Bamford Addo must enforce the law under order 18 of Parliament to ensure the three vacate their seats.
“All of us as Ghanaians must be seen to be upholding the constitution of the land.
“…The provision is just clear to all of us. You don’t need to have any legal brain to give you the interpretation of this provision,” he said.
He said it does not matter whether the Independent candidates won or lost the primaries. The very fact that they have contested the primaries of a political party means they have violated the law and must vacate their seats.
According to electoral laws, the Electoral Commission cannot organize elections in constituencies, three months to general elections.
This means even if the independent MPs were to vacate their seats, there will not be any election until the December general elections.
But Tetteh Asumeng insists his demands are just and practical.
The concerned MPs must first vacate their seats and the nation can think about the next line of action to take, Asumeng noted.
"I am trying to draw the attention of the House to our own provision. Lets enforce the first law which is to declare the seats vacant," he stated.
From: Myjoyonline.com
