Parliament : Supreme Court ruling leads us into an absurdity – John Dramani Mahama

Former President of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama has made some comments on the supreme court ruling on the rights of Deputy Speakers of Parliament who are presiding over the house.

In his comment, the former president stated that the ruling made by the supreme court is leading the country into what he describes as an ‘absurdity’.

“If Deputy Speakers, because they are Members of Parliament, can vote while presiding as Speaker, they could as well be able to participate in any debate on the floor over which they are presiding. 

This is the absurdity into which the Supreme Court ruling leads us” – John Dramani Mahama said in a tweet.

Debate Over the Voting Rights of Deputy Speakers Presiding over Parliament

The debate over the ability of Deputy Speakers of Parliament who are presiding over proceedings in the house to vote became topical after the first deputy speaker of Parliament Hon. Joe Wise attempted to vote in Parliament whiles presiding.

This decision by Hon Joe Wise to vote caused chaos in Parliament and a citizen of the country filed a suit at the supreme court for proper interpretation on the issue and the supreme court ruled that deputy speakers who are presiding can vote on issues in the house.