The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has abruptly adjourned the House indefinitely. The Speaker declared on Tuesday, October 22, that “the numbers are not sufficient for us to make decisions by Article 104.”
He further explained that Article 104 (1) stipulates: “Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, matters in Parliament shall be determined by the votes of the majority of members present and voting, with at least half of all the Members of Parliament present.”
“Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there is a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament and having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in Parliament… I have consulted leadership, and I am exercising my discretion to decide to suspend the meeting of the House indefinitely.”
The decision follows chaotic scenes as the Members of Parliament from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) move to occupy the seats of the Majority Caucus, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
A few members of the majority party who had previously been in the chamber left to await the Speaker’s order. Prior to what is anticipated to be a “clash” or “showdown” between the Majority and Minority Caucuses, Parliament had earlier announced new measures intended to increase security within the House’s grounds.
