Josiah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining its newly acquired majority status, despite the Supreme Court’s suspension of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant on Friday, October 18.
At a press conference in Accra, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, leader of the NDC caucus, defended Speaker Bagbin’s declaration, citing Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution and Order 18 of Parliament’s Standing Orders as its legal basis.
“The Speaker’s decision to declare the four seats vacant is a legitimate exercise of his powers under the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament,” Dr. Ato Forson stated.
He emphasized that this declaration has reshaped the structure of the 8th Parliament, leaving the NDC with 136 seats, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) holds 135 seats.
“This shift effectively renders the NPP as the Minority caucus, as outlined by Order 6 of the Standing Orders of Parliament,” he added, noting that the term “Minority Caucus” refers to the party with the second-highest number of seats in Parliament.
Dr. Forson assured that the NDC would defend its majority status, which it believes has been lawfully achieved, and use it to promote policies beneficial to the public.
“We will do everything in our power to safeguard our majority and use it to repeal oppressive taxes like the betting tax and the E-levy,” he promised.
