John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), views the declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant as an indication of the party’s approaching victory.
This development follows Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s approval of a motion to declare the seats vacant, which led to a walkout by the Majority Caucus.
During his campaign in Ningo-Prampram on Thursday, October 17, Mahama expressed his belief that divine signs point to the NDC’s success but stressed the importance of continued effort to secure the win.
The affected MPs, Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), are required to vacate their seats as they pursue independent candidacies in the upcoming December elections.
This ruling could significantly shift the balance in parliament, potentially altering the Majority and Minority caucuses.
The NDC considers this development favorable, while the Majority Caucus has voiced displeasure with the Speaker’s decision.
“If the report I’m hearing from parliament is accurate, then something historic has occurred. The speaker has declared four seats vacant—three from the NPP and one from the NDC.
“So, if these seats are now vacant, it suggests that within the same parliament, the Minority has become the Majority, and the Majority has become the Minority. To me, this is a sign from God about what is to come, but we must work to make it a reality on December 7, 2024.”
The motion, filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, argued that the MPs seeking to contest the upcoming elections as independents must forfeit their parliamentary seats as mandated by constitutional provisions governing membership in parliament.
