Parliament on Tuesday, July 22, was thrown into tension as Minority Members of Parliament walked out in protest during the swearing-in of Ewurabena Aubynn, the newly elected NDC MP for Ablekuma North.
The boycott followed a decision by Speaker Alban Bagbin to disallow comments from the Minority prior to the ceremony. The Speaker, backed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, cited parliamentary procedure, which only permits remarks after the swearing-in.
Dissatisfied, the Minority exited the chamber, continuing their rejection of the July 11 by-election results. They have alleged that the rerun was marred by violence and electoral misconduct aimed at overturning the NPP’s earlier lead.
Ms. Aubynn’s victory in the rerun held across 19 polling stations came after the Electoral Commission annulled parts of the 2024 general election in the constituency due to procedural breaches and clashes.
Despite the protest, the swearing-in proceeded. The Speaker advised Ms. Aubynn to serve with integrity and commitment to her constituents.
Her addition brings the NDC’s total to 184 seats, plus support from four independent MPs, giving the governing party a two-thirds majority in the 275-member Parliament. The NPP now holds 86 seats.
