On the Breakfast show on GTV, the Law Professor, Justice Abdulai, who contested the Deputy Speaker’s decision to count himself as forming a quorum for a vote on the Budget, suggested that the Deputy Speakers’ should not be Members of Parliament, but be elected the same way Speakers of Parliament are elected.
He urged legislators to put national interest first and not emotional or partisan interest.
The Supreme Court on March 9, 2022 held that a Deputy Speaker of Parliament or any person presiding in the absence of the Speaker is entitled to be counted for the purpose of forming a quorum for decision making.
A 7-Member panel of the Apex Court presided over by Justice Jones Dotse also held that a Deputy Speaker of Parliament or any person presiding in the absence of the Speaker is entitled to cast a vote on parliamentary proceedings.
However, many have criticized this decision, describing it as an unfortunate interpretation for convenience that sets a dangerous precedent of judicial interference in Parliamentary procedure for the future.
Watch the full interview below;
Related Post: https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/politics/akufo-addo-reacts/2022/
