The Member of Parliament for Suame and former Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has called for immediate dialogue between parliamentary leaders and the Speaker of Parliament to resolve an ongoing deadlock that has stalled proceedings in the House.

The recent standoff, which emerged after Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant on Thursday, 17 October 2024, led to an indefinite adjournment, sparking concerns over potential impacts on the upcoming polls.

In a press briefing on Monday, 28 October 2024, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stressed that functional parliamentary operations are essential to avoid disrupting the electoral process.

He urged that proactive communication and collaboration between the Speaker and parliamentary leadership are critical to bridging differences that could undermine democratic proceedings.

“Maybe we need to engage because elections should be held. And if elections must be held, every time that the presidential and general elections are going to be held, the Electoral Commission, for instance, will bring a CI to regulate the elections. What happens if they have not brought it? What happens to the conduct of elections?,” Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu quizzed.

The Suame legislator highlighted that a crucial Constitutional Instrument (CI), typically submitted by the Electoral Commission (EC) to guide the election process, remains outstanding.

Without this CI, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu warned, the election may encounter procedural hurdles that could interfere with its proper execution. T

The delay in the CI’s submission raises the risk of legal and administrative complications that might jeopardise the timelines for election day.

Additionally, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu pointed out that Parliament has yet to approve the vote on account necessary for the upcoming fiscal year, a task he deems urgent.

“We need a vote on account for the next succeeding financial year, and that has not been done. I think we need to have Parliament recalled to deal with this,” he emphasised, noting the urgency of resolving the parliamentary stalemate to ensure an uninterrupted electoral process and financial stability.