Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has explained that a quorum is formed based on the members present in Parliament not on the floor or in the Chamber.

Alban Bagbin made this comment in Parliament on Thursday while addressing the members of the House after returning from medical leave.

According to the Speaker, his statement is in accordance with Article 102 and 104 of the 1992 Constitution.

He cited instances where previous members of the House raised questions about what constitutes a quorum as far as Parliament is concerned.

“It is important to reiterate the comments of the then Majority Leader, Hon. Paapa Owusu-Ankomah who cautioned that the issue of quorum be looked at since members could be in attendance at Committee sittings, and be conducting Parliamentary business, but not present on the Floor of the House and thus, not counted for the purpose of forming a quorum.

Hon. Paapa Owusu-Ankomah’s premise is viewed on a point of law. The issue of quorum is on members present in Parliament and not on the floor or in the Chamber of Parliament. Refer to Articles 102, 104, etc,” he noted.

Speaking for the first time about the rejection of the budget by the Minority-only House, which he chaired, Alban Bagbin said the House was duly constituted for the decision.

He added that the Majority’s assertion that he acted ultra vires to the Constitution is strange.

“The decision taken on the 30^th of November 2021 which decision suggested I acted ultra vires to the Constitution, when I put the question on the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government, appears strange to me.

The House was duly constituted for its work for the purposes of business and voting in accordance with Articles 102 and 104 respectively and the public record of the Votes and Proceedings of the House on the 26^th of November lends credence to this position,” he stated.