{"id":106362,"date":"2025-12-11T17:09:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T17:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=106362"},"modified":"2025-12-11T17:09:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T17:09:24","slug":"justin-kodua-questions-constitutional-basis-for-declared-vacancy-in-kpandai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=106362","title":{"rendered":"Justin Kodua questions constitutional basis for declared vacancy in Kpandai"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>1 Minute, 39 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has challenged Parliament\u2019s notification to the Electoral Commission (EC) declaring a vacancy in the Kpandai Constituency, calling the move questionable and without clear constitutional grounding.<\/p>\n

The controversy began after the Parliamentary Service wrote to the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, stating that a vacancy had occurred in the Kpandai seat. The letter, signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, cited a High Court ruling that directed a re-run of the 2024 Parliamentary Election in the area.<\/p>\n

The Minority Caucus swiftly condemned the communication and demanded its withdrawal, insisting Parliament has no authority to declare a vacancy when the sitting MP is alive, has not resigned, and has not been removed through any constitutionally recognised process.<\/p>\n

They argue that the High Court\u2019s order for a re-run does not amount to an automatic vacancy, as the ruling did not explicitly state that the MP had ceased to hold office.<\/p>\n

Mr Kodua expressed surprise at the Clerk\u2019s action. Speaking on Asempa FM\u2019s Ekosiisen<\/em><\/strong> programme on Thursday, he questioned the constitutional basis for the declaration.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat prompted the Clerk of Parliament, all of a sudden, to write to the Electoral Commission stating that a vacancy has occurred?\u201d he asked. \u201cUnder which provision of our Constitution does Parliament have the authority to declare a vacancy in the House?\u201d<\/p>\n