By Beatrice Oppon
The Supreme Court has granted a Stay of Execution of the ruling of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin declaring the seats of four MPs vacant over the switch of allegiance.
By this ruling, the MPs are to be recognized by Parliament and allowed to continue to perform their legislative duties as enshrined by law.
The order will remain in force until the final determination of the ex-parte application filed by the
Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to Stay the Execution of the ruling by the Speaker against the four MPs who have switched allegiance.
The Supreme Court panel which was chaired by Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo held that the decision by the Speaker of Parliament will deprive the constituents of the four affected MPs of their democratic rights to be represented.
The Court further directed the Attorney General and the Speaker of Parliament to file their Statements of Case and Memorandum of Issues within seven days.
Lawyers for the Majority Leader argued that the Speaker usurped the powers of the Supreme Court by interpreting Article 97 of the Constitution insisting that the filing of nominations by the affected MPs do not amount to crossing the carpet.
