Speaker Bagbin Rules Against Premature Disqualification of Kpandai MP

Accra: The Speaker of Parliament, Alban K. S. Bagbin, has determined that it is premature to disqualify Matthew Nyindam, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpandai, from participating in parliamentary proceedings. This decision comes after a Tamale High Court ruling nullified the election results for the Kpandai constituency and instructed the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct a re-run within 30 days. According to Ghana News Agency, during a parliamentary session on Thursday, Speaker Bagbin clarified that High Court orders, such as the one in question, are subject to a mandatory seven-day stay of execution, as outlined by relevant Supreme Court decisions. This stay of execution period will expire on December 1, 2025, allowing Mr. Nyindam to retain his parliamentary seat and participate in proceedings until then. The Speaker emphasized that the formal court order was received by Parliament through its Legal Services Office on November 25. Consequently, Mr. Nyindam remains a Member of Parliament unless the stay of execution expires or further judicial processes alter the situation. The order for a re-run of the Kpandai parliamentary election stemmed from a petition filed by Daniel Nsala Wakpal on December 23, 2024. Mr. Wakpal challenged the Electoral Commission's declaration of Matthew Nyindam as the MP-elect, citing irregularities and inconsistencies in the December 7, 2024, general election. Presiding over the case, His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Bart-Plange Brew mandated a complete rerun of the election, raising questions about judicial intervention in the electoral process.