The Supreme Court has on Tuesday April 26 dismissed Justice Abdulai’s review application on the Deputy Speakers on grounds that it is unmeritorious.
A private legal practitioner, Justice Abdulai, filed an application asking the court to review the decision which held that a Deputy Speaker of Parliament while presiding over proceedings of the house, reserves his right to participate in voting and can be counted as part of a quorum for decision-making.
The apex court on Wednesday March 9 dismissed an application to pronounce as unconstitutional, Joseph Osei Wusu’s action of counting himself for the purposes of quorum.
Justice Jones Dotse ruled that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament participation in voting was constitutional.
The nine-member panel who sat on the review application were Justices Dotse, Nene Amegatcher, Prof Ashie Kotey, Lovelace Johnson, Mariama Owusu, Celemenfe Honyenuga, Gertrude Torkonoo, Prof. Mensah Bonsu, Emmanuel Kulend.
The SC struck out the standing order 109(3) which says a Deputy Speaker or any other member presiding shall not retain his original vote while presiding.
It furthered that the Deputy Speaker could be counted during the quorum for decision making according to article 104(1).
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