There will be no voting on the controversial e-levy bill or its implementation, at least until next year, as Parliament adjourns sitting on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, announced that the House has adjourned sitting till January 18, 2021.
The First Deputy Speaker made the shocking announcement shortly after taking his seat.
Parliament was expected to vote on the E-levy bill Tuesday morning after chaos erupted in the House during voting yesterday.
Confusion rocked Parliament on Monday when the National Democratic Congress Minority prevented Joseph Osei Owusu sitting as Speaker, from casting his vote.
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The confusion that ensued – which has been christened "e-chaos" by Minority MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa – prompted adjournment of proceedings today, Tuesday, December 21.
“Yesterday he [Speaker Bagbin] was in the Chamber. And when he asked me to take over from him he said he will come [back] … we still do not know his whereabouts,” Joseph Osei Owusu told Asaase News on Tuesday.
He said the only advantage the Majority has over the Minority is just one vote and “any time the Speaker is not in sitting then it is to the disadvantage of the Majority”
“The only advantage the majority has over the minority is one vote. Anytime the Speaker is not around and the deputy takes over, then the majority is disadvantaged.”
Osei-Owusu said he never erred in yielding the Speaker’s seat to the Second Deputy Speaker to continue with proceedings while he voted.
“The first thing we must understand is that as long as I remain a member of parliament, I can vote on any matter. The only time I lose my vote is when I’m presiding.
“The only time I lose my right to vote is when I am presiding [as Speaker] … if I am not presiding I retain the same rights as any other,” Osei-Owusu said.