The Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Djietro has disclosed that no representative for the Ablekuma North constituency will be sworn in or partake in proceedings as the House has not yet received any writ of election from the Electoral Commission for the said constituency.
Presiding over sitting on the midnight of the inauguration of the newly elected MP for the ninth Parliament, Mr. Djietro noted that there are outstanding issues with two constituencies; Akwatia and Ablekuma North.
He announced to the House that no representative for the Akwatia constituency will be permitted to partake in the proceedings of the first sitting of the ninth Parliament and election of the Speaker because of an injunction served on the Clark and Parliament by the Koforidua High Court. More so, the Electoral Commission (EC) has also not served any writ of election for the Ablekuma North constituency.
“Two issues relating to two constituencies are outstanding and the constituencies are Ablekuma North and Akwatia. The case of Ablekuma North is known to all of us and we don’t have writ of elections from the EC in respect of Ablekuma North and therefore it is impossible to proceed with any matter relating to Ablekuma North in terms of roll call and in terms of the eligibility of a member for that constituency to participate in the election of the Speaker,” he stated.
In the case of Akwatia constituency, the Clerk noted that the House has received a court restraining order not to permit the MP-elect for the constituency, Ernest Yaw Kumi to partake in the first sitting of the ninth Parliament.
However, the Clerk referred the MP-elect for Akwatia, Ernest Kumi to article 105 of the 1992 constitution which stipulates the repercussions for any member who is not entitled to sit or vote in Parliament but decides to do so.
“Subsequently, it has come to our attention that there is a restraining order of a court, restraining not just the Member, Ernest Yaw Kumi but also the Clerk to Parliament from proceeding with the member’s participation in the election of the Speaker. This is a matter that honourable members ought to know. This is a court order which restrains the Clerk to Parliament from proceeding or dealing with the member in this matter, I find myself constrained”.
“I have brought this matter to the attention of the House that is my pleasant duty to do. The Member may decide to do so but in doing so I am drawing attention to article 105 of the constitution,” he announced to the House.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin affirmed Ernest Kumi’s decision to proceed with activities in the House and face the consequences with respect to article 105 of the constitution.
“The member so desires to proceed to be sworn-in and to also partake in the election of the Speaker and bear the consequences himself,” he said.
Ghanamps.com
