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MPs haggle over call for emergency sitting

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The Speaker of Parliament is meeting the leadership of the House to take a decision on a request by some NPP MPs for an urgent sitting to discuss the just ended district level elections. About 55 minority MPs have petitioned the Speaker to recall Parliament from recess to investigate the problems that dogged the local level elections and find solutions to them. The petitioners claim there could be a repeat of the chaos in the general elections in 2012 if the problems are not dealt with. But information picked up by Joy News indicates that the two sides are divided over the matter whiles the speaker, Joyce Bamford-Addo is reluctant to recall the house ahead of its scheduled return date of January 18. Joy FM’s Parliamentary correspondent Sammy Darko reports that Under article 112 clause 3 of the 1992 constitution and the standing orders of parliament, about 15 per cent of MPs may request a meeting of parliament and the speaker shall within seven days after receipt of the request summon parliament. Joy News sources say even though the NPP MPs have met this constitutional requirement, speaker Joyce Bamford-Addo wants the MPs to withdraw the petition because of financial constraints and the inconvenience to MPs. The house is scheduled to resume in two weeks. The sources say whiles the Majority endorses the position of the Speaker, the Minority says it is a constitutional matter and should not be compromised. The speaker is expected to meet Majority and Minority leaders to take a decision on the matter after which she will meet the petitioners to try and convince them to reconsider their petition. Spokesperson for the petitioners, Mr. Joe Ghartey hinted the MPs will not back down on the request. He said the inconvenience MPs stood to suffer in returning to the House was worth it given the centrality of the issue at stake. Deputy Minority Leader, Mr. Ambrose Dery, agreed. He said once the request was made in accordance with the constitution, the House has to act accordingly. Source: Joy News/Ghana

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.