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The Minority in Parliament has called on the Speaker of Parliament to immediately retract the letter sent to the Electoral Commission (EC) declaring the Kpandai parliamentary seat vacant. The declaration was expected to trigger a by-election in the constituency.
Led by Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Minority made the demand in an urgent statement read on the floor of Parliament. They accused the Speaker and the Majority caucus of engaging in “selective justice”, describing the move as a breach of the country’s democratic principles and parliamentary procedures.
The controversy stems from a ruling by the Tamale High Court, presided over by Justice Bart-Plange Brew, which granted reliefs sought by a plaintiff challenging the legitimacy of the Kpandai seat holder. After the mandatory 21-day period elapsed, the ruling effectively rendered the seat vacant.
However, the Minority insists that the High Court’s decision should not have triggered a vacancy declaration. They argued that they had duly notified the Speaker that legal processes had been filed at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and that the Speaker had been formally served with these notices.
Despite these pending appeals, the Speaker allegedly instructed the Clerk to Parliament to write to the EC, confirming the vacancy.
The development brought today’s parliamentary sitting—which was scheduled to consider crucial matters including the passage of the 2026 Budget—to an abrupt halt. After the Minority’s acting leader delivered a strong protest on the floor, the presiding Speaker reportedly left his seat without any formal announcement, heightening tensions in the chamber.
The Minority maintains that until the higher courts determine the matter, any declaration of vacancy is premature and undermines the rule of law.
