The Office of Parliament has expressed regret over events that characterised the inauguration of the 8th Parliament on Thursday, January 7.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs of Parliament, Kate Addo, the office said it is more focused on working towards a unified membership aimed at promoting best parliamentary practices and good governance.
The statement denied allegations that one of the parliamentary staffers attempted to stuff the ballot boxes with papers.
It said there were 275 members present to vote and the introduction of any voting material would have meant there would have been an increase in the number of votes cast.
This would have exacerbated an already volatile situation. It said staff of parliament do not participate in proceedings including voting on the floor of the house.
The statement said the staffer in question is a Deputy Marshal stationed at a particular spot in the chamber to protect the ballot box. It said the Marshall was compelled to use his teaser to prevent some skirmishes which seemed like a Parliamentary Member was trying to snatch a ballot box.
The statement said the Marshall was only trying to supervise the voting process. Parliament assured the public that its staffers are dedicated and would not do anything untoward to disrupt the proceedings of parliament.
Meanwhile, the NDC is calling on the leadership of Parliament to probe events surrounding the election of the Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic.
General Secretary of the Party, Johnson Aseidu Nketiah, at a news conference in Accra, described the happenings in the House including the attempt by the Clerk to prevent NDC MP for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson from voting for the Speaker as shameful and un-parliamentary.
He said the open voting by NPP MPs, the deployment of soldiers into the Chamber and snatching of ballot papers by the Tema West MP, Carlos Ahenkra are all undemocratic.
