The rights of four Members of Parliament (MPs) have been reinforced, according to Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, following a Supreme Court decision that granted a stay of execution on the ruling by Speaker Alban Bagbin, which had declared their seats vacant.

The affected MPs—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central)—were set to lose their seats after filing to run as independent candidates in the upcoming December elections.

Speaker Bagbin had based his decision on Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that MPs intending to contest as independent candidates must vacate their seats. However, the Supreme Court's intervention has paused the enforcement of this ruling, pending further legal proceedings.

"We came to court believing that the court will do right, and indeed the court has done right," Afenyo-Markin said after the ruling, adding that the rights of the MPs had been "reinforced."

The Speaker’s ruling had briefly shifted the balance of power in Parliament, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) gaining 136 seats to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 135. However, the Supreme Court's stay has allowed the NPP to maintain its majority, as no by-elections can be held within three months of a general election, scheduled for December 7.

The NPP MPs, who had threatened to boycott parliamentary proceedings over the Speaker’s ruling, have welcomed the court's decision and are expected to resume full participation in Parliament.