![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ROCK-DAFEAMEKPOR-875x424-1-696x337.jpg\" "\\"ROCK-DAFEAMEKPOR-875x424\\"\/")
<\/div>\nMember of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi Constituency, Dr Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has disagreed with the call to declare absentee Members of Parliament\u2019s seats vacant.<\/p>\n
Following recent absenteeism recorded from some MPs in Parliament, Professor Asare called on the legislature to implement the 2018 Supreme Court ruling on absentee MPs.<\/p>\n
The said ruling had it that a lawmaker automatically vacates their seat after 15 continuous days of being absent from the House without permission, in accordance with article 97 of the 1992 constitution.<\/p>\n
\u201dSo I think the Clerk should, on Monday, write to the Electoral Commission that any MP, not just Adwoa [Safo] who has been absent for more than 15 days, have vacated the seat, and a by-election should be held,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
However, speaking on JoyNews\u2019 PM Express, Dr Dafeamekpor said there ought to be a petition with evidence of absenteeism of a lawmaker before one\u2019s seat can be declared vacant.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere ought to be a petition, a complainant. Somebody must be complaining pursuant to 97 (1) c that I have evidence that an MP has been absent for more than 15 sitting days so I want an action to be taken on the MP,\u201d he disclosed.<\/p>\n
He added that there are procedures that had to be followed before an MP\u2019s seat can be declared vacant per the standing orders of the House.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere must be a motion moved from the House when the Speaker agrees and a decision is made. It is now moved to the Privileges Committee where the material from the secretariat will materialize.<\/p>\n
\u201cA search must be conducted at the secretariate and have evidence of vote of proceedings, so the speaker will write back to say yes pursuant to your letter, the MP has not sought permission from my office. If he had sought permission that ends the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if not, the member will be invited to the Privileges Committee to give reasons with an explanation on his absenteeism. It is the Committee that will determine whether or not the explanation is reasonable. But if it\u2019s not reasonable, that is when article 97(1) c will take its full force so, it is not automatic as Prof suggests,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n