First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has said the gaggle that characterised voting on the controversial e-levy on Monday evening could have been prevented if the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, presided.
He told Asaase News that when Parliament reconvenes today, Tuesday, December 21, the Speaker would have be presiding.
“Parliament will reconvene this morning but we can only do business if Mr Bagbin presides. If speaker Bagbin doesn’t preside it’s pointless. Our opponents will rain their violence,” he said.
Confusion rocked Parliament on Monday when the National Democratic Congress Minority prevented Joseph Osei Owusu sitting as Speaker, from casting his vote.
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.
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“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,” Joe Wise told Asaase News.
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.