parliamentary elections

Metascholar News Portal
Africa , News , Politics
January 7, 2025
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Inauguration of 9th Parliament

Everything is in place for the inauguration of the 9th Parliament of the Republic of Ghana. The parliamentary ceremony, which marked the beginning of a new legislative term, unfolded at midnight last night with the election of a new Speaker for the House. This pivotal event was followed by the selection of the 1st and 2nd Deputy Speakers, both chosen from among the Members of Parliament. The session commenced with Members of Parliament assembling in the chamber ahead of the official start at the stroke of midnight. The proceedings were overseen by the Clerk of Parliament, who guided the process according to parliamentary rules and protocols. The first item on the agenda was the election of the Speaker, a significant role that ensures the orderly conduct of parliamentary business and upholds the principles of impartiality in the House. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, a seasoned politician and former Speaker of the 8th Parliament, was nominated by the Majority Leader for the position. His nomination was seconded by the Minority Leader, reflecting a rare moment of cooperation between the two sides of the House. Following discussions, Mr. Bagbin was declared Speaker after no other nominations were presented. Once the Speaker was elected, attention shifted to the selection of the 1st and 2nd Deputy Speakers. Members from both the Majority and Minority caucuses were considered for these roles to ensure balanced representation in the leadership of the House. The two individuals chosen bring diverse experiences to their positions, reinforcing the leadership structure’s capacity to handle legislative challenges. The midnight ceremony was attended by key political figures, diplomats, and media representatives, all of whom bore witness to this crucial transition in Ghana’s parliamentary leadership. The event not only symbolized the peaceful handover of power but also underscored the commitment of Ghana’s lawmakers to democratic processes and governance.

Metascholar News Portal
News , Politics
January 1, 2025
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High Court Rejects NDC’s Preliminary Objection on Re-Collated Results

The Accra High Court has dismissed a preliminary objection raised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against an application filed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The application seeks an order compelling the Electoral Commission (EC) to re-collate and declare the results of four disputed constituencies. The constituencies in question are Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, and Techiman South. Following the dismissal of the objection, the court is now hearing arguments on whether the EC should proceed with the re-collation and declaration of results. TV3’s court correspondent, Laud Adu Asare, reported on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, that Justice Baah Forson Agyapong ruled in favor of the NPP’s application, stating that the request for judicial review was not an election petition. He emphasized that the court’s jurisdiction had been properly invoked in the matter. The Supreme Court had earlier intervened, directing the Accra High Court to reconsider the NDC’s motion to be joined to the NPP’s application. In a unanimous 5-0 decision on December 27, 2024, the Apex Court indicated that the presiding judge erred in failing to give the NDC legal representation a hearing, despite their status as an interested party affected by the ruling. The NDC’s objection stemmed from a previous High Court directive instructing the EC to re-collate the results of nine disputed constituencies, including the four currently under review. The party argued that the results in these constituencies had already been declared, making the re-collation order unnecessary. The legal dispute dates back to a writ filed by aggrieved parliamentary candidates from both the NDC and the NPP, who alleged irregularities in the collation and declaration of results during the parliamentary elections. The candidates sought an order compelling the EC to organize fresh elections in the affected constituencies. On December 20, 2024, Presiding Judge Joseph Adu Owusu Agyeman ruled that the EC should proceed with re-collating the results for the Ablekuma North constituency. This decision was met with objections from NDC lawyers, led by Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, who argued that the declaration of results had already been completed. However, the court maintained that the alleged anomalies warranted a review of the results. The latest ruling marks a significant step in resolving the contentious electoral dispute, as the court proceeds to hear substantive arguments on the matter. The outcome is expected to have far-reaching implications for the affected constituencies and the broader electoral process.