Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has affirmed that parliamentary candidates whose election results were annulled by the Supreme Court on December 27, 2024, will not be sworn in as Members of Parliament on January 6, 2025.
Supreme Court Nullification
The Supreme Court invalidated the re-collated election results for Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, and Techiman South, citing irregularities in the re-collation process. This decision followed a legal challenge by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which argued that the re-collation was unlawful and exceeded the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Speaker Bagbin’s Stance
Speaking in Parliament on December 28, 2024, Speaker Bagbin noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling aligned with his earlier position on the matter. He emphasized that candidates whose results were annulled could not assume office without meeting the constitutional and legal requirements.
“The decision of the Supreme Court just followed the position I took before they even delivered their decision,” Bagbin stated.
He further clarified the criteria for becoming a Member of Parliament:
- Election by voters.
- Declaration by the Electoral Commission (EC).
- Swearing-in by the Speaker of Parliament.
Without these steps, candidates remain MP-elect and are not recognized as full Members of Parliament.
Legal and Political Implications
Bagbin described the re-collation and declarations by the EC as legally void, rendering the affected candidates ineligible for swearing-in.
“They were unknown to the law and not properly so-called MPs-elect,” he said.
The Speaker reiterated his role as the “gatekeeper” in ensuring adherence to the law, urging that the proper processes be followed to uphold Ghana’s democracy.
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Path Forward
The Supreme Court’s ruling and Bagbin’s subsequent clarification underscore the importance of due process in electoral matters. This development is expected to influence parliamentary dynamics and reinforce the call for transparency and credibility in electoral administration.
