Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has revealed the intention of the opposition party to propose candidates for the Speaker of Parliament, an act he deems reflects the true result of the parliamentary election.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Ablakwa noted, it will also consist of other leadership positions in Parliament when the eighth parliament is inaugurated.
“We are preparing to also have the first Deputy Speaker and we have a slate. When Parliament convenes, we will be presenting names for Speaker, for first Deputy Speaker and for the Chairmen of Committees. We will not accept this daylight robbery and that is why we are adorned in black today.”
On Monday December 14, 2020, the National Democratic Congress’ Parliamentarians during the reconvening of Parliament from recess, were draped in black attire, a phenomenon they insists was a subtle protest over the ’flawed’ parliamentary and presidential result by the EC.
According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alleged the EC acted in connivance with the incumbent government to rig the election.
“We are mourning the death of democracy in our country. The discredited election that the Electoral Commission has conducted, a confused Electoral Commission, a discredited Electoral Commission clearly in cahoots with our opponents to rig this election and to put out numbers that don’t add up. That is what we are mourning”.
He further bemoaned the violence which characterized the elections, stating that, the use of violence by the military led to the death of six civilians.
“We are also mourning the use of violence in our election. The militarization of elections in this country. We are mourning the killing of six unarmed civilians who were only seeking to protect their votes. We are mourning the wanton abuse of state power to arm twist, force electoral officers to declare results in favour of the ruling government”.
Mr. Ablakwa further intimated that, the only way they will cooperate is for the NPP to ‘respect the mandate of the people’.
“If they want co-operation in this house, [The NPP should] give us our majority which the people have given to us. Just allow the people’s verdict. I shouldn’t even say give us, they are not giving us anything; just respect the people’s verdict, respect the people’s mandate. Don’t usurp the will of the people.
“We have the majority, at least 138, Techiman South, Sene West belongs to the NDC. If they want us to co-operate at inauguration midnight from January 6, 2021, allow us to choose our speaker, the chairpersons of committees, let the majority side be accorded what it is due so far as the constitution and our standing orders are concerned”.
Touching on the demonstration which spiraled from the declaration of results, Mr. Ablakwa said, these supporters were exercising their constitutional right over what they maintain to be rigging of the elections.
“It is their legitimate right to protest, to mass up, to picket, to engage in civil disobedience. It is constitutional, there is nothing undemocratic, there’s nothing unconstitutional about it.
“There’s a forensic audit team that is looking at all the pink sheets and putting our case for the possible challenge at the Supreme Court when we have to go there. So as the flagbearer indicated, all options are on the table, and those options must include the right to demonstrate, the right to protest, the right to picket and the right to engage in public manifestations. So at this point, everything is on the table”.
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