Former President John Dramani Mahama has condemned Supreme Court’s ruling on Wednesday, 9 March 2022 over voting rights of the first deputy speaker in Parliament.
“If Deputy Speakers, because they are Members of Parliament, can vote while presiding as Speaker, they could as well be able to participate in any debate on the floor over which they are presiding. This is the absurdity into which the Supreme Court ruling leads us”, former President John Dramani Mahama had said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
His post follows the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling that allows the first deputy speaker to vote whilst presiding over parliament as speaker.
According to him, the Supreme Court’s verdict is “shocking but not surprising.”
He claimed Supreme Court’s ruling is “an unfortunate interpretation for convenience that sets a dangerous precedent of judicial interference in Parliamentary procedure for the future.”
He claimed that the Court’s decision may affect future deliberations in Parliament and the ability for Parliament to be independent.
Justice Abdulai asked the Supreme Court to interpret Articles 102 and 104 of the 1992 Constitution.
Following that, the Court declared Order 109(3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament to be invalid.
Bainatv.com.gh/Elizabeth Tamakloe
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