Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has criticised Parliament’s decision to inform the Electoral Commission (EC) that the Kpandai Constituency seat is vacant, arguing that the move exceeds Parliament’s constitutional mandate.
In an interview on Tuesday, December 12, he asserted that only a court has the legal authority to declare a parliamentary seat vacant and insisted that the necessary judicial processes have not yet been concluded.
“Parliament is not clothed with the authority to declare the seat vacant. It is the court, and the processes have not been concluded. So how can Parliament intervene and say they have declared the seat vacant? It is totally wrong,” he stated.
Responding to questions about how the Speaker’s directive could be challenged, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu urged the Minority Caucus to act swiftly.
“The Minority must immediately challenge the directive. They should pursue that while continuing their legal battle in court. What happens if the court later reverses the decision? This situation is very unfortunate,” he said.
He further accused the Speaker of acting selectively and inappropriately, warning that such conduct undermines the integrity of Parliament and the constitutional procedures guiding its operations.
The controversy arose after the Parliamentary Service sent a letter to EC Chairperson Jean Mensa, indicating that the Kpandai seat had become vacant following a High Court ruling ordering a rerun of the 2024 parliamentary election. The letter, signed by Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, effectively initiated steps toward a by-election.
However, the Minority Caucus has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the letter, describing it as unlawful and inconsistent with due process.
Source: Theghanareport
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