Ruling on Deputy Speaker voting leads us into ‘absurdity’ – John Mahama

Former President John Mahama has once again waded into the Supreme Court ruling that deputy Speakers can vote while presiding over affairs in Parliament.

According to him the ruling “leads” the country into “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,” Mr Mahama wrote on twitter Thursday.

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 (@JDMahama) March 10, 2022

President Akufo-Addo while speaking to Takyi Boadu of Daily Guide

Meanwhile, he had described the ruling as shocking but not surprising, a situation he said sets a “dangerous precedent.”

A unanimous 7-0?
Shocking but not surprising.

An unfortunate interpretation for convenience that sets a dangerous precedent of judicial interference in Parliamentary procedure for the future. pic.twitter.com/mKesTDcBNR

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) March 10, 2022

“A unanimous 7-0? Shocking but not surprising. An unfortunate interpretation for convenience that sets a dangerous precedent of judicial interference in Parliamentary procedure for the future.”

However, President Akufo-Addo has welcomed the decision and said persons in dissent to it may not have read the 1992 Constitution well.

“I’m not sure people who are saying this have actually taken the time to read the constitution of our country. It says so in Black and white. The legislative powers of the State, which is vested in Parliament, is subject to the provisions of the constitution”

“All organs of the Ghanaian State, including me as the Head of the Executive, we are all subject to the teachings of the Constitution.” he told Daily Guide’s Charles Takyi Boadu on the sidelines of the Dubai Expo 2020.

The apex court on Wednesday 9th March 2022 ruled that the Deputy Speaker when presiding can exercise a vote contrary to Standing Order 13 of Parliament.

The contentious issue was whether a Deputy Speaker of Parliament presiding over proceedings can vote or should be counted as part of the quorum.

The panel chaired by Justice Jones Dotse also said the approval of the budget was valid.