DOWNLOAD: Supreme Court’s Judgement on Deputy Speakers voting rights
The Supreme Court of Ghana
The Supreme Court of the Republic of Ghana has finally released its judgement on Deputy Speakers voting rights in a ruling given on Wednesday, 9th March, 2022.
According to the Supreme Court presided over by His Lordship Justice Jones Dotse, the Deputy Speakers of Parliament or any Presiding Officer/Member can vote and be part of quorum for decision making when presiding over proceedings in the Legislative House of Parliament.
This ruling came following an application filed by a law Lecturer Justice Adbulai at the Supreme Court challenging the voting rights of the 1st Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu during the approval of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented to Parliament by Ken Ofori-Atta.
Justice Adbulai, has sought for a declaration that, it’s unconstitutional for Deputy Speaker of Parliament, to have counted himself to make up the quorum during the approval of the budget among orthers.
According to the Supreme Court, the action invoke their original jurisdiction pursuant to Article 2(1)(b) and 130(1)(a) of the constitution to challenge the constitutionality or otherwise of recent going-ons in Parliament, one of the three arms of Government, and by implication, the constitutionality or otherwise of one of Parliament’s Internal rules for the conduct of it business.
The seven Supreme Court Judges who ruled on Deputy Speakers voting rights case
Even though, many believe that, the Supreme Court’s ruling has contravene article 109 (3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament that says, “a Deputy Speakers or any other Member presiding shall not retain his original vote while presiding.” the judgement has stated otherwise, by sticking out the relief and ruled in favor of the Deputy Speakers that, they have voting rights while presiding over proceedings in a case between Justice Abdulai and the Attorney General.
Deputy Speakers have voting rights while presiding – Supreme Court
Kindly download the full judgement from the seven (7) panel Supreme Court Judges.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE SUPREME COURT’S JUDGEMENT ON DEPUTY SPEAKERS VOTING RIGHTS
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
