Injuncted Assin North MP blocked from selecting speaker

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP)-Elect for Assin North, James Quayson has been prevented by the Clerk of Parliament from partaking in the voting process to select a speaker for the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic.

Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah ruled that the MP cannot take part of the voting process because he has received an injunction from a Cape Coast High Court which states that he ought not to hold himself as the MP-elect for the constituency.

Mr Quayson was spotted in the chamber of Parliament of the house before the dissolution of the 7th Parliament and the inauguration of the 8th parliament as well as the election of a Speaker.

Mr Markins’ request was seconded by MP-elect for Suame Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu who reminded the Clerk that the House has been served a notice of court injunction.

However, Haruna Iddrisu, MP-elect for Tamale South told the clerk that courts do not determine who an elected MP is.

He said  “Mr Chairman, courts don’t determine an elected person in Ghana. The court has the mandate to adjudicate on matters brought before it but the election  of Member of Parliament is vested in Ghanaians citizens . We are aware that James Gyakye Quayson of Assin North was duly elected .

“As far as we know  no court processes have been served on him personally.  That is why he is here  having registered and having the recognized as Member of the 275 MPs.”

After the debate, the clerk confirmed that he received the notice of injunction at 4:45PM. Mr Hamza, Deputy Chief Court registrar served him, he revealed.

“I was duly served and therefore, I do not recognise Mr Quayson for the election of the Speaker,” Mr Oteng Nsiah ruled.