BY Issah Olegor
Parliamentary proceedings in Ghana were thrown into turmoil on Monday, December 8, after an uproar erupted on the floor of the House over the controversial declaration of the Kpandai parliamentary seat as vacant.
The disturbance, which forced Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin to suspend the sitting, highlights growing tensions between the ruling party and the parliamentary minority over the interpretation and implementation of court rulings in electoral matters.
The High Court Ruling And The Vacancy Letter
The current crisis stems from a High Court ruling delivered in late November 2025, which nullified the election of Hon. Matthew Nyindam (NPP) and directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct a rerun of the Kpandai parliamentary election within 30 days.
The judgment followed an election petition filed by Daniel Nsala Wakpal (NDC), challenging Nyindam’s victory in the December 7, 2024 parliamentary polls.
In line with the ruling, the Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, wrote to the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, on December 4, 2025, notifying her of the vacancy of the Kpandai seat. This formal notification triggered the current parliamentary confrontation.
Minority MPs Challenge The Move
The Minority caucus, led by Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, immediately expressed strong opposition to the letter and the subsequent parliamentary actions.
Minority MPs, many dressed in black, chanted patriotic songs, banged tables, and hooted at the Clerk in a dramatic display of protest.
Frank Annoh-Dompreh described the letter as “out of place” and “unfortunate,” insisting it violated the rule of law and infringed on established parliamentary and constitutional procedures.
The Minority argued that proceeding with the declaration of the seat as vacant preempted potential appeals and undermined due process, echoing earlier statements by Speaker Bagbin that a statutory seven-day stay of execution was still in effect following the High Court ruling.
Parliamentary Chaos And Suspension of Proceedings
The confrontation escalated as Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga attempted to respond to calls for the withdrawal of the vacancy letter.
The Minority MPs repeatedly obstructed his efforts, forcing the Speaker to temporarily suspend proceedings.
Alban Bagbin reminded MPs of their obligations under parliamentary standing orders, stating he could only rule on the matter after consulting the leaders of both parties.
Observers noted that the uproar signals deep divisions within Parliament over the handling of judicial decisions and the balance between legal compliance and political expediency.
Legal And Constitutional Implications
The suspension comes amid ongoing debates about the legal validity of the EC notification. Constitutional experts point out that Articles 97, 99, and 105 of the 1992 Constitution regulate who is entitled to sit and vote in Parliament and establish penalties for knowingly violating these provisions.
The Speaker’s earlier guidance emphasized that any action to enforce the High Court judgment before the expiry of the seven-day statutory stay could be premature and legally questionable.
Legal analysts warn that rushing the vacancy notification could expose parliamentary officials to legal challenges and potentially undermine public confidence in the electoral and legislative processes.
Political Reactions And Next Steps
The incident has intensified partisan tensions. The NPP maintains that the High Court ruling must be implemented without delay, while the NDC and other opposition parties argue that due process must be respected, including the possibility of appeals.
Meanwhile, the EC is caught between complying with the parliamentary notification and adhering to legal advice that enforcement may be premature pending potential appeals.
The coming days are expected to see intense negotiations and legal maneuvering, with both parliamentary leaders and the judiciary closely monitoring the situation.
