Former President John Dramani Mahama has explained what he described as best practices of Parliamentary voting.
Earlier, John Dramani Mahama has indicated that, the Supreme Court is leading Ghana into a realm of absurdity following a judgement on Deputy Speakers voting rights while presiding on the floor of Parliament.
Speaking on the Supreme Court ruling on whether or not, a Deputy Speaker can vote whiles presiding, Mahama indicated that, the judgement of the Supreme Court is regrettable.
DOWNLOAD: Supreme Court’s Judgement on Deputy Speakers voting rights
In arguing, Mr. Mahama questioned how the Deputy Speaker would impartially determine which side was loudest in the instances of a voice vote.
The former President, had taken the opportunity to detailed the best practices of Parliamentary voting in the Legislative House.
He said, “The first vote in most cases taken on a motion in Parliament is a voice vote. The Presiding officer, whether the Speaker or any of his/her deputy speakers is supposed to listen to which is the loudest, the ayes or the nays and make a determination.”
Parliament : Supreme Court ruling leads us into an absurdity – John Dramani Mahama
“If the deputy speakers are allowed to vote, then they must take part, first, in the voice vote. If you are presiding and can shout aye or nay with your party in the voice vote, how do you impartially determine which was the loudest?” John Dramani Mahama stated.
The seven Supreme Court Judges who ruled on Deputy Speakers voting rights case
The Supreme Court has ruled that, Deputy Speakers of Parliament or any Member/Officer the right to vote on matters on the floor of Parliament even when they are presiding since they were first elected as Members of Parliament and represents a Constituency.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
