The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has clarified that Kpandai legislator Matthew Nyindam remains a sitting Member of Parliament, notwithstanding the Tamale High Court’s nullification of the 2024 parliamentary election results in the constituency.
Addressing the House on Thursday, November 26, Speaker Bagbin explained that under Court of Appeal procedures, the filing of a notice of appeal automatically suspends the High Court’s ruling for seven days.
He pointed out that since the judgment was delivered on November 24, 2025, the suspension remains valid until December 1, 2025.
“During this period, the High Court ruling cannot form the basis for the Speaker to instruct the Clerk to notify the Electoral Commission that the Kpandai seat is vacant,” he stated.
Bagbin further noted that if Mr. Nyindam pursues an appeal, including an application under Rule 27(1) of C.I. 19, enforcement of the High Court’s decision could be further delayed until the matter is conclusively determined.
He stressed that it would be premature to declare Mr. Nyindam unqualified to attend or participate in parliamentary proceedings before the expiration of the mandatory seven-day stay.
“Honourable Members, this is not a declaratory order; it is an executive order delivered by the High Court,” the Speaker emphasized, affirming Nyindam’s right to continue his parliamentary duties.
The Tamale High Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Brew Plange, annulled the December 7, 2024 election in Kpandai after a petition by NDC candidate Daniel Nsala Wakpal.
The petition cited major irregularities, particularly discrepancies in Form 8A (“pink sheets”) from 41 of the 152 polling stations, which were said to contravene Regulations 39 and 43 of the Public Elections Regulations (C.I. 127).
Justice Plange ruled that the breaches significantly undermined the credibility of the poll and directed the Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh parliamentary election across the constituency.
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