Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, also known as Kwaku Azar, has raised concerns over Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s recent decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.
According to him, this ruling sets a dangerous precedent that could discourage MPs from planning their political futures due to fears of punitive measures.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, October 17, Kwaku Azar noted that the decision has the potential to destabilise the balance of power that the electorate has determined.
He argued that it could create an atmosphere where MPs feel restricted in exploring their political ambitions, which would limit their independence in Parliament.
Kwaku Azar further stressed that the ruling could have far-reaching consequences for Ghana’s parliamentary system and overall democratic governance.
He warned that if such decisions become a norm, lawmakers may be deterred from pursuing independent or diverse political paths, impacting the diversity of thought in the legislature.
His concerns reflect broader anxieties about the long-term effects of the Speaker’s ruling on MPs’ autonomy and their right to freedom of association.
He stressed that the decision might disrupt the natural political balance and undermine the democratic processes that allow MPs to represent their constituencies without fear.
Kwaku Azar ultimately believes that Speaker Bagbin’s ruling sets a worrying precedent that threatens the principles of Ghana’s parliamentary democracy, calling for a more cautious approach to such rulings in the future.
“This ruling sets a dangerous precedent, undermining MPs’ ability to plan their political futures without fear of immediate consequences.
“It allows for arbitrary decisions where filing a nomination for a future election could be misinterpreted as a shift in allegiance, regardless of the MP’s current conduct. This broad interpretation risks destabilizing Parliament by prematurely vacating seats, disrupting voter-established balances, and eroding the principle that MPs serve their full term unless they explicitly change allegiance. It could also create a chilling effect, deterring MPs from exploring future political opportunities,” an excerpt of his post said.
Professor Kwaku Azar also argues that Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant contradicts the fundamental right to freedom of association.
He believes this ruling undermines the MPs’ right to join political parties and pursue future political affiliations.
“Additionally, this ruling contradicts the fundamental right to freedom of association, including the right to join parties and pursue future political affiliations. Treating a nomination for a future election as severance of current allegiance unfairly penalizes MPs and discourages,” he added.
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