Questions of vacation of seats by MPs can only be determined by High Court, not the Speaker – Gyampo

A Professor at the University of Ghana Ransford Gyampo has said that questions about the vacation of seats by Members of Parliament (MPs) can only be determined by the high courts and not by the speaker of the political parties.Professor Gyampo stated that the idea of declaring seats vacant at a time when fresh elections cannot be immediately held to replace occupants, simply because of a future intent of a sitting Member of Parliament, unnecessarily stifles representation.He says it denies constituents their voice in parliament.The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on Thursday October 17  declared four seats in Parliament vacant.The constituencies and the lawmakers are :1.

Cynthia Morrison, the current NPP MP for Agona West constituency in the Central Region, who has filed to run as an independent candidate.2.

Kwadwo Asante, the current NPP MP for the Suhum constituency in the Eastern Region, who has also filed to run as an independent candidate.3.

Andrew Asiamah Amoako, currently an independent MP for the Fomena constituency in the Ashanti Region, who has filed to run in the upcoming election as a candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).The former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu had petitioned the Speaker to declare the seats vacant by invoking Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution which stipulates that a lawmaker must vacate their seat if they leave the party under which they were elected or attempt to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.Prof Gyampo in a statement said "It must be pointed out that, the idea of declaring seats vacant at a time when fresh elections cannot be immediately held to replace occupants, simply because of a future intent of a sitting MP, unnecessarily stifles representation as it denies constituents of their voice in parliament.