Ghana’s Supreme Court has reinstated the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) majority in parliament, ruling that the speaker’s declaration of four seats as vacant was unconstitutional.
The ruling came after Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin declared the seats vacant, stating that the constitution prohibits Members of Parliament (MPs) from defecting to other parties. His decision had temporarily shifted the majority to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), giving them an advantage of one seat.
This contentious issue arose after two NPP MPs and one from the NDC announced intentions to run as independents in the Dec. 7 elections. Meanwhile, an independent candidate joined the NPP, further complicating parliamentary dynamics. Bagbin’s declaration had effectively left the parliament adjourned indefinitely until this week’s court decision.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo announced the 5-2 majority decision in a televised session, confirming that the NPP’s slim majority of 138 seats, including an allied independent, was restored against the NDC’s 137. The court will release its full reasoning at a later date.
As Ghana approaches its ninth consecutive general election since the return to multi-party democracy in 1992, concerns around the voter roll have stirred public debate. Allegations of irregularities led the NDC to organize nationwide protests in September, demanding a comprehensive audit of voter data.
With President Nana Akufo-Addo stepping down after his final term, former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC will challenge NPP’s Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. Amid election tensions, the U.S. State Department has issued a visa restriction warning against those who threaten Ghana’s democratic processes.