The Director of Legal Affairs for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gary Nimako, has expressed full support for the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on vacant seats in Parliament.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 16, Mr. Nimako explained that an MP is only deemed to have vacated their seat if they physically change their political affiliation while serving in Parliament.
He expalined that such a shift must occur within Parliament to trigger the provisions of Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution.
- Read also: Vacant seats: Supreme Court ruling lacks enforceability without further orders – Justice Atuguba
“I agree in its entirety with the Supreme Court’s majority decision on the subject matter,” he stated.
The Supreme Court had earlier clarified that Articles 97(1)(g) and (h) apply strictly to an MP’s current parliamentary term and do not extend to future election cycles where an MP may contest under a different party.
Mr. Nimako also dismissed claims that the Supreme Court’s judgment was unclear.
He pointed out that the Court had definitively corrected the Speaker’s interpretation of the constitutional provisions, allowing the four affected MPs to return to Parliament and resume their duties without hindrance.
He therefore Speaker to recall Parliament for the MPs to conduct their legislative duties.
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