Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development CDD-Ghana, Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, has argued that political parties have no power to dictate to Members of Parliament (MPs), on how to vote on issues in Parliament.
He explained that MPs cannot be commanded to vote in a particular way by their political parties, describing such actions by political parties as a democratic perversion.
“Political parties have no right to command or compel MPs of their party to cast a vote a particular way, on specific matters that come before Parliament. While they are elected on a party ticket and caucus as a party in Parliament, MPs do not sit in Parliament as delegates of the party on whose ticket they got elected or even of the local constituents that voted to put them in Parliament.
“Belonging to a party suggests, at best, that an MP shares with the party certain fundamental ideals, principles, policies and positions. However, it does not mean he or she must vote in Parliament as commanded or demanded by the party. The MP’s vote in Parliament belongs to the MP, not to the party, the constituency, or any other person or interest.”
Prof Henry Kwasi Prempeh
Prof Prempeh insisted that the interest of political parties is not the only variable MPs must consider in casting their vote for or against a matter in Parliament, adding that MPs that do not conduct themselves as their political parties wish can be ousted through democratic processes in their parties, if the whip system fails.
“Moreover, the party is not the only interest an MP may weigh, in the balance in casting a vote. The interest of the nation, the local constituency, his or her own convictions, all are legitimate reference points for an MP to consider and weigh in the balance, along with their party’s interest, in coming to a decision as to how to cast a vote in Parliament.
“If a party disapproves of how an MP votes in Parliament, their only democratic recourse is to contest and defeat the MP at the next primaries. The party is, of course, free to use the whip system in Parliament and other forms of lawful peer pressure, to get their MPs to toe the line. However, as long as the MP has not formally “crossed carpet” to the other side or declared himself an independent candidate after having been elected on the ticket of a particular party, he or she is free to vote in Parliament according to his or her own evaluation of the issue.”
Prof Henry Kwasi Prempeh
He concluded that political parties asking MPs to boycott votes in Parliament, is an impermissible obstruction of the work of Parliament, under Article 122 of the Constitution.
His comments come on the back of criticism of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP’s for failing to disapprove some six ministers nominated by the President. The NDC accused its MPs of betrayal after they failed to vote to disprove the six ministers, even after the party expressly commanded them to reject the nominees.
Attacking MPs Won’t Bring Victory in 2024
Flagbearer aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, advised against acts he believes may sow disunity in the NDC, in the wake of the approval of President Akufo-Addo’s six ministerial nominees in parliament.
He called for the party to come together, in order to work hard to win power in the 2024 election, after some NDC MPs were publicly vilified, for failing to reject the Ministerial nominees on Friday March 24, 2023 as directed by the NDC party.
“It is clear that our country is in an extremely difficult position, and downsizing the government is in the interest of the public. However, I would like to caution against the use of negative language towards our MPs. While it may be tempting to vent our frustrations in this way, I do not believe it will help us find a solution to our challenges and reach a common ground that will position our great Party for Victory 2024.
“Let us strive to approach the issues at hand with dignity and respect; let us come together in a spirit of sobriety and work towards finding a way out of this difficult situation. A united house stands tall, but a divided one crumbles and falls.”
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor
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