Member of Parliament-elect for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called on all Members of Parliament to ensure that the constitutional requirements for electing a Speaker for the august house are strictly adhered to.
Article 104 (4) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 9 (1) demands that the election of the Speaker shall be done by secret ballot.
This occurs on the midnight of January 6 after every election year.
According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, protecting the sanctity of the secret ballot would “enable MPs of the 8th Parliament vote freely and according to their conscience.”
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) December 28, 2020
He sent a word of caution to MPs-elect in good standing to resist any attempts by their party aficionados to police their ballots on January 6.
“MPs-elect in good standing must start sending a clear message to those plotting to violate Article 104 (4) and Order 9 (1) by seeking to inspect ballots of MPs in their respective caucuses ostensibly on behalf of party officianados as has happened in recent times that their manoeuvres will be fiercely resisted,” he stated.
He also called on the Clerk to Parliament, Cyril Nsiah, to “ensure that the sanctity of Ghana's Constitution and Parliament’s Standing Orders are resolutely preserved.”
“While we remain steadfast to protect the NDC’s majority in Parliament which is the true will of the sovereign people of Ghana and without prejudice to further legitimate action on the discredited EC’s multiple presidential declarations, I can only wish all aspiring candidates for Speaker on both sides of the aisle the very best of luck,” he concluded.
Latest Stories
-
Government completes 50 premix fuel automation machines at landing sites – Fisheries Minister
2 mins -
FBNBank changes its name to FirstBank Ghana
9 mins -
Akwaboah Jnr ties the knot
17 mins -
Women’s FA Cup semis: Army Ladies face FC Epiphany; Police Ladies up against Supreme Ladies
2 hours -
Police haul in Kwadaso MP, EC officials in probe of Ejisu by-election ‘bribery’ case
3 hours -
Ghana’s press freedom ranking: Are we actually improving?
4 hours -
Reflections: 50 Lessons at 50
4 hours -
NCCE briefs Council of State on civic plans for 2024
4 hours -
Ecobank Group reports Profit Before Tax of $581m, on net revenue of $2.1bn for 2023
4 hours -
More businesses are working to move out of Ghana – Food and Beverages Association
4 hours -
Empowering Ghana’s Environmental Narrative: Celebrating World Press Freedom Day 2024
5 hours -
AG hasn’t closed investigations into Cecilia Dapaah’s case – Spokesman
5 hours -
Ghana Tourism Authority celebrates ‘Feast Ghana’ on May Day with a Taste of Culture
5 hours -
Fella Makafui gets emotional and teary-eyed reacting to old video with Medikal
5 hours -
FBNBank Ghana changes to FirstBank Ghana to align with Group identity
5 hours