Ghana's Supreme Court Rescues Ruling Party's Parliamentary Majority

Ghana's Supreme Court ruled that the Speaker's declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant was unconstitutional, restoring the New Patriotic Party's majority ahead of the December 7 election. The decision shifts the parliamentary majority back, as Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo announced the 5:2 ruling decision.

In a significant turn of events, Ghana's Supreme Court has restored the ruling New Patriotic Party's (NPP) parliamentary majority, overturning the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin's decision to declare four seats vacant ahead of the December 7 elections.

The court ruled that Bagbin's declaration was unconstitutional, thereby restoring the NPP's slim majority in parliament with 138 seats, including an independent supporter, against the 137 seats held by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

This ruling could impact the upcoming elections, as tensions rise with former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC challenging Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP. Concerns about voter roll irregularities have also cast a shadow over the democratic process.

(With inputs from agencies.)