Speaker Bagbin orders four MPs who filed to run as independent candidates to vacate seats

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has approved a motion that calls for four Members of Parliament (MPs) to vacate their seats after declaring their intention to contest the upcoming December elections as independent candidates.

The motion, filed by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, argues that the MPs—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central)—have effectively forfeited their parliamentary positions by seeking to run independently, as per the constitutional provisions on parliamentary membership.

According to the motion, the MPs’ actions signify a departure from their respective political parties, thereby vacating their seats in Parliament.

This decision underscores the growing political tensions ahead of the December elections and could affect the political landscape in the affected constituencies.

In his ruling in Parliament on Thursday, Speaker Bagbin cited Standing Order 18 and Article 97 of the constitution, stating, “Honourable members it is important to point that the speaker is called upon by the standing orders of parliament particularly order 18 to inform the house of the occurrence of a vacancy of the seat of a member under clause (1) b to e, g and h of article 97 of the constitution. Accordingly, I will proceed to inform the house that by the notification of the polls the following MPs are by their actions vacated their seats in parliament.”