Absentee MPs to lose seat

The Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey said parliamentarians, who absent themselves from Parliament for 15 sitting days of the House without permission would lose their seats.

He has, therefore, directed the Clerk of Parliament to submit a list of those who have absented themselves since the second meeting of the House began on May 8.

Mr Ala Adjetey gave the indication when Mr Norbert Awulley, NDC-Builsa South expressed dissatisfaction with the poor attendance in the House during the correction of votes and proceedings.

Mr Awulley said attendance in House the previous day July 5 was 145 present and 28 were absent with permission.

He said this meant that 23 members were absent without permission and quoted the Standing Order 16 (1), which stipulated that a member shall lose his seat if he absented himself/herself from the House for 15 sitting days.

However, it did not state whether consecutively or cumulatively.

Mr Ala Adjetey stressed that he has repeatedly complained about attendance in the House and has for sometime now asked the leadership to advise him on what action to take on absentees.

He warned that absenteeism in the House was a serious constitutional issue, which should not be taken lightly.

"It is serious for a an MP to lose his seat for absenteeism," he added.

In a business statement presented to the House, Mr J.H. mensah, Leader and Minister of Government Business announced that the House will sit on Monday, July 16, to enable it finish its work on schedule to be able to rise on Friday, July 27. - GNA