Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has mounted a strong defence of the Clerk to Parliament over the controversial declaration of the Kpandai parliamentary seat as vacant, insisting the Clerk acted strictly in accordance with the law.

Ayariga stated that the Minority’s decision to obstruct debate on the matter ultimately worked against them.

According to him, the legal framework is explicit: once a court orders a rerun of an election, the Clerk is duty-bound to officially notify the Electoral Commission (EC), unless there is a separate court order staying the judgment.

“As the law stands, the Clerk acted properly within the law. He cannot be faulted,” he explained. “Once there is no court order staying the judgment, the timeline continues to run. And as we speak, the 30 days have already begun since the Clerk communicated with the Electoral Commission.”

Ayariga argued that the chaos that unfolded in Parliament on Tuesday could have been avoided had MPs allowed a full discussion on the floor, which would have enabled the Speaker to deliver a proper ruling.

Instead, he said, the Minority blocked proceedings and prevented him from explaining the legal implications.

“The Speaker meant that we should have allowed a calm, structured discussion that would enable him to give a ruling. They prevented that, and they are the ones who have now suffered the legal consequences,” he said.

Parliament devolved into confusion Tuesday night after Minority MPs demanded an adjournment following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to defer his ruling on the Kpandai matter. Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh insisted that no government business should proceed until the issue was resolved.

However, the Speaker ruled after a voice vote that proceedings would continue, prompting chanting and disruptions from the Minority side.

The tension stems from a letter dated December 4, 2025, in which the Clerk to Parliament formally notified EC Chairperson Jean Mensa of a vacancy in the Kpandai Constituency. The notification followed a High Court ruling ordering a rerun of the 2024 parliamentary election in the area.

Ayariga, who represents Bawku Central on the NDC ticket, said both sides of the House have the responsibility to defend their candidates. He pointed out that the Minority had taken similar positions in past disputes.

“They must be seen fighting for their own. But they forget that the person Nyindam defeated is also an NDC member, so we have every reason to fight for ours too,” he said.
“If you feel you should fight for your own, why shouldn’t we fight for ours especially when the law is on our side?”

He cautioned that attempts to block legal debate in Parliament undermine the integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes.

“If we allow that, we will be destroying the democracy,” he warned.

The Electoral Commission is expected to announce further steps as preparations begin for the court-ordered rerun of the Kpandai parliamentary election.