2/3 parliamentary majority can’t be used to secure Mahama a supposed third term — Samson Lardi

Private legal practitioner and broadcast journalist Samson Lardi Anyenini, has reacted to claims that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) intends to use a two-thirds parliamentary majority to alter the Constitution in favour of President John Dramani Mahama.

The NDC currently holds 183 seats in Parliament and needs just one more to secure an absolute two-thirds majority.

Some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have urged voters in the 19 polling stations where a parliamentary rerun is underway to resist what they describe as a looming “parliamentary dictatorship.”

The NPP has, on several occasions, alleged that President Mahama plans to amend Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution to allow him to run for a third term.

Speaking to journalists at a polling station on Friday, July 11, Aide to former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, claimed the John Mahama-led administration would have unchecked power to impose its will on the nation should it win the seat.

“I already told you yesterday that the election here today is not just about Ablekuma North; it’s about halting a possible parliamentary dictatorship by one party if the people of Ablekuma North do not stop this,” he said.

However, in a social media post on Friday, July 11, Mr. Anyenini clarified that presidential tenure is an entrenched provision of the Constitution and cannot be amended solely through parliamentary action.

“A major and common message in the Ablekuma North campaign is that the NDC is seeking an absolute majority in Parliament to enable it amend the Constitution to have JM run in 2028. Yesu! This is how a party loses credibility and citizens lose faith in politicians,” he wrote.

He further explained that any attempt to amend Article 66 would require a national referendum.

“By Article 290(4), at least 40% of eligible voters must turn out, and at least 75% of them must endorse the change to Article 66(1) and (2) — entrenched provisions of the Constitution. No shortcuts. No parliamentary magic. Shame!” he added.