Withdraw Kpandai notice to EC - Deputy Minority Leader urges Parliament
The Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, has called on Parliament to withdraw the notice to the Electoral Commission (EC) declaring the Kpandai Constituency vacant, citing a premature and unconstitutional move.
Addressing a press conference at the Parliament House Wednesday [Dec 10, 2025], Ms Appiagyei stressed that the notification was a “constitutional travesty” and a “historical self-betrayal” as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpandai, Matthew Nyindam, has filed a stay of execution, a notice of appeal, and an application for certiorari at the Supreme Court.
"Parliament should respect the stay of execution and await the outcome of the appeals," the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Asokwa said, citing precedents where members were allowed to continue serving while their appeals were pending.
She warned that proceeding with the notification would set a “poisonous precedent” and undermine the rule of law and the separation of powers.
Recall
The Tamale High Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Bart Plange Brew, ordered the EC to conduct a rerun of the parliamentary election in the Kpandai Constituency in the Northern Region.
Following the decision, Parliament on Monday, December 8, 2025, formally notified the EC of a vacancy in the seat.
The situation erupted into chaos in Parliament last Tuesday, when the Minority disrupted proceedings in the House and called for the immediate withdrawal of the formal letter to the EC declaring the Kpandai parliamentary seat as vacant.
Affront to natural justice
The Deputy Minority Leader further stated that the decision to notify the EC of a vacancy in the Kpandai Constituency was a clear breach of parliamentary precedent and an affront to the principles of natural justice.
“We are not just talking about the fate of one Member of Parliament, we are talking about the rights of the people of Kpandai to be represented in this House," she said.
Ms Appiagyei emphasised that the High Court's judgement was not final and was subject to appeal, and that Parliament should not take any action that would prejudge the outcome of the appeal.
“To do so would be to usurp the powers of the judiciary and to undermine the rule of law," the Deputy Minority Leader said.
She also warned that the decision to notify the EC could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democracy, saying it would set a dangerous precedent and open the floodgates to abuse of the electoral process.
“We will not stand idly by and watch as the rights of the people of Kpandai are trampled upon,” she said.
