The Supreme Court has ordered the reinstatement of the four Members of Parliament whose seats were declared vacant by Speaker Alban Bagbin on Thursday, October 17, 2024.
This means that Andrew Amoakoh Asiama, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, Kwadjo Asante, and Cynthia Morrison will temporarily retain their seats pending the Court’s final decision.
The Speaker had declared their seats vacant after they filed to contest the upcoming December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections as independent candidates, citing Article 97 (1) (g) of the Constitution.
However, the Supreme Court’s directive puts this decision on hold for now.
Prior to the ruling, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader, had filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking clarification on Article 97 of the 1992 Constitution, which led to this development.
The Court’s order also maintains Afenyo-Markin’s position as Majority Leader until the matter is fully resolved.
This twist comes just 50 days before the general elections in December.