Ghana’s Supreme Court will on November 11 hear and deliver its judgment on the high-profile case regarding the four parliamentary seats declared vacant by Speaker Alban Bagbin. This decision will hinge on the interpretation of Article 97 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which Members of Parliament may lose their seats.

Central to the case is Article 97(h), which stipulates that MPs vacate their seats if they leave the party under which they were elected, or, if elected as independents, join a political party after the election. The ruling will have significant implications for parliamentary representation and party allegiance in Ghana’s legislative framework.

More in the report by Naa Dedei Tettey.

Update: Supreme Court to deliver judgment on vacant seat saga on Tuesday as Speaker elects not to file representation

The Supreme Court hearing began without representation from the Speaker’s legal team on Monday, November 11, 2024. Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo stated that the court would proceed regardless.

The court heard arguments from NPP caucus leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, represented by lawyer Joe Ghartey.

The Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame argued that a change in political affiliation does not mean a seat is vacated and insisted that it was the Supreme Court’s sole jurisdiction to interpret the law

He also criticized the Speaker’s legal team’s absence as disrespectful, though the judges noted that addressing this was their decision.

After hearing both sides, the Supreme Court announced it would deliver its judgment on Tuesday, November 12.

The ruling will clarify the Speaker’s powers in such cases and could set a significant precedent for parliamentary procedure and representation. Speaker Bagbin has chosen not to file a representation in the case, leaving the Supreme Court to interpret the constitutional provisions independently.

More in the report below.