The Minority in Parliament says the legal suit brought against Assin North Member of Parliament (MP), James Gyakye Quayson, is an attempt by the government to cow the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus into submission, in view of the Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy), which is currently before the House.
The leader of the caucus, Haruna Iddrisu, at a press conference in Accra, yesterday, said the Minority would remain resolute against the “obnoxious E-levy, because it is regressive, punitive and will not advance the interest and welfare of our people” irrespective of the “machinations” of government.
A Cape Coast High Court in July, 2021, annulled the election of Mr Qusyson as MP for Assin North on the grounds that he held a Canadian citizenship at the time he contested the elections thus violating constitutional provisions and other statutory provisions that guide Ghana’s elections.
But even before the Appeals Court could rule on the appeal application filed before it by the lawmaker setting aside the ruling, the plaintiff in the case proceeded to the Supreme Court to stop Mr Quayson from carrying himself as MP; an application, which was granted by the apex court on Tuesday.
Mr Quayson was additionally charged with counts of criminal offences, including forgery and perjury by the Attorney-General for misrepresentation on his nomination form to contest as representatives of the people in the 2020 polls.
However, Mr Iddrisu, at the press conference, said the caucus was of the conviction that the move was calculated to bar the MP from voting on the E-Levy when the Bill is moved for a second reading.
“Any attempt by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to use the court to tilt the balance of power in Parliament will be contrary to democratic norms, values and constitutionalism,” he cautioned.
Mr Iddrisu said at the time, Mr Quayson filed his nomination forms, his nationality was challenged for which the Electoral Commission undertook investigation into the allegation.
“The Electoral Commission (EC) subsequently determined the matter in favour of Mr James Quayson after he had adduced sufficient evidence to satisfy the Electoral Commission that he was very much qualified to stand for election, whereupon he was cleared to contest the election.
“In the light of these facts, how can it be properly contended that Mr James Quayson criminally used a false declaration to deceive the EC in order to stand for the said election?” he asked.
Mr Iddrisu said “It is our hope that the courts will rise to the occasion and preserve and protect our democratic experiment which is highly endangered.”
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
