Both National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament have taken seats on the majority side, leaving the minority section completely vacant.

This follows Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration on October 17 that four parliamentary seats—three NPP and one NDC—were vacant, triggering uncertainty over which party holds the majority in Parliament.

JoyNews' Parliamentary Correspondent, Kwaku Asante, reports that NPP Caucus Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, took the Majority Leader's seat, blocking the NDC Caucus leader from occupying it. In response, the NDC moved the Minority Leader’s black chair to the majority side, allowing their leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to sit alongside them.

Typically, MPs sit on brown chairs, while leaders of the majority and minority occupy black ones. By taking the black chair meant for the Majority Leader, Mr. Annoh Dompreh symbolically claimed the position for the NPP. The NDC, however, countered this move with their own symbolic gesture.

Despite the underlying tensions over the leadership dispute, the atmosphere in Parliament remained unexpectedly calm, with MPs from both sides seen smiling and interacting.

On October 18, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Bagbin’s decision, allowing the four MPs to continue serving until a final court ruling.

Despite this court order, the NDC caucus has held onto their claim of majority status, asserting that Parliament, as an independent body, should not be interfered with by the judiciary.