The Majority side in Parliament has stated that since 1993, Parliament has never resorted to a division in making decisions and was therefore wondering why the Speaker, Alban S.K. Bagbin, on Wednesday, decided to resort to a division in making a decision on the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
To them, there was no such application to make the decision by resorting to a division and that the application, which was raised by Emmanuel Kofi Armah-Buah on account of Order 113(2) was a result of the challenge, where he called for a headcount.
There was no call for a decision by division and that it was the Speaker, who opted to go by that route.
To them, they are insisting that until the appeal for a headcount is dealt with, not the division that the Speaker had called last Wednesday, the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy has been approved per what transpired in Parliament last Wednesday [Nov 29].
In a press statement signed and issued by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority side insisted that the decision by the Speaker of Parliament to call for a division “was certainly not the initial application” before the House.
“Despite the procedural objections raised, the Speaker declined to acknowledge these concerns and expressed his intention to proceed with a headcount as demanded.”
They, therefore, want the Speaker to stick to the request of the headcount, and not the possibility of resorting to a division, which the Speaker indeed called for, even though there was no such application before the House.
The Majority side stated: “Since 1993, Parliament has never resorted to a division in making decisions.”
“The Majority concluded the choice for a division was unfair under the circumstance, leading to their decision to stage a walkout.
“It is essential to note that despite the Speaker’s indication that the “ayes” had prevailed, and despite a petition presented to him, a petition that hadn’t followed due process, the Speaker’s initial ruling on the “ayes” retaining their advantage stands.
“Consequently, the budget has been duly passed until the appeal for a headcount is dealt with, not the division that the Speaker had called,” the added.
Speaker Bagbin’s position
Meanwhile, at Thursday’s sitting of the House, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin said the Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of the government for the year ending December 31, 2024, is still before the House.
He said the final decision on the budget statement would be taken next week, Thursday, December 7, 2023. He, therefore, directed the Business Committee of the House to reschedule the issue for next week.
