Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has called on Parliament, including Speaker Alban Bagbin, to strictly adhere to the Supreme Court's recent rulings regarding the status of four contested parliamentary seats.

This appeal follows the Court's stay on the Speaker's earlier declaration of those seats as vacant, which arose after Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson invoked constitutional provisions regarding MPs who change their political affiliations.

In its statement, CDD-Ghana acknowledged the legal dispute triggered by the Speaker's actions and the Majority Leader's petition to the Supreme Court, which resulted in a temporary halt to the Speaker's decision.

The Center emphasized the importance of Parliament cooperating fully with the judiciary to ensure that the rule of law is respected, particularly as the 2024 elections approach. It warned that any non-compliance with the Court's directives could risk destabilising the political landscape.

CDD-Ghana further urged Parliament to file all necessary legal documents within the Court's specified deadlines and stressed the need for all parties to act with responsibility and respect for Ghana's constitutional framework.

While Parliament retains the right to seek a review of the Court's decision, the Center underscored that adherence to the Court's orders is crucial for maintaining political stability and upholding democratic principles.

Below is the full statement by CDD-Ghana

The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has closely monitored recent developments in Parliament since October 15, 2024, when the Minority Leader, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, invoked Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution to raise concerns about the presumed vacation of four (4) parliamentary seats.

The Centre equally followed the Speaker of Parliament’s subsequent declaration on October 17, 2024, that vacancies had indeed occurred concerning the seats of those four (4) MPs—two (2) from the NPP, one from the NDC, and one independent.

The Centre has also followed, with keen interest, Majority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s application to the Supreme Court challenging the Speaker’s authority to declare the vacancies and the Court’s subsequent intervention on October 18, 2024, staying the Speaker’s ruling and directing Parliament to allow the affected MPs to continue with the performance of their duties until the case is fully determined.

We have taken due notice of the instruction given to the Speaker and the Attorney General to file their statements of case within seven (7) days of service, followed by a joint memorandum of issues for hearing.

CDD-Ghana acknowledges the diversity of views in the public discourse surrounding this issue, particularly the legal opinions regarding both the Speaker’s actions and the Supreme Court’s intervention. Without a doubt, this situation presents a novel challenge to Ghana’s constitutional practice. It requires careful and sensitive handling to prevent the onset of constitutional and political turmoil, particularly as the country approaches the 2024 general elections.

The Center strongly urges all Members of Parliament, political parties, the Executive, and the media to act with maximum restraint, a sense of responsibility, and respect for the letter and spirit of the constitutional principles and processes that underpin Ghana’s democracy.

It implores all stakeholders to prioritise the preservation of the nation’s peace and stability and work diligently to avoid a recurrence of the regrettable scenes witnessed during the Speaker’s election on January 7, 2021.

To deescalate the current tension and uphold the rule of law, CDD-Ghana encourages the Speaker and Parliament to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s directions, notwithstanding disagreements with the ruling. The timely filing of the required legal documents will ensure the case proceeds swiftly and help provide clarity and resolution. The Speaker and Parliament also retain the option to seek a review of the Court’s decision, should it find it necessary.

Looking ahead, CDD-Ghana calls for a deep reflection on the relevant constitutional provisions governing parliamentary seats, especially during election years. It is vital to ensure that remedies are available for affected individuals and parties without plunging the nation into legal or political uncertainty.

Additionally, CDD-Ghana believes that all outstanding cases seeking to disqualify any candidate from the upcoming elections should be resolved expeditiously. This will ensure that no candidate is unfairly deprived of their rights or opportunity to contest, maintaining fairness in the electoral process.

In the spirit of national unity, we urge all Ghanaians to remain calm, respect the judicial process, and continue to uphold peace as we collectively safeguard Ghana’s democracy.