Ghana's newly-elected members of parliament engaged in a scuffle on Wednesday night following a disagreement on the election of a new speaker.
The speaker was to be elected by secret ballot, but MPs from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) party kept displaying their marked ballot papers, to the displeasure of opposition MPs.
At some point a ruling party MP snatched the ballot papers while voting was still underway, sparking a confrontation.
Armed police and troops temporarily stormed into the chambers to restore calm.
Both the opposition and the ruling party have 137 MPs each, plus there is one independent MP..
A court had issued an order barring one opposition MP from voting for the speaker pending the determination of a challenge on his election. But he was somehow allowed to cast a vote.
The opposition has described last December's general election as flawed and has filed a challenge at the Supreme Court seeking annulment of the presidential election.
Latest Stories
-
Gov’t announces major data bundle increases across all networks from July 1
7 minutes -
OSP carries out searches at SML offices in ongoing suspected corruption probe
17 minutes -
Jobe Bellingham joins Dortmund for initial £27m
21 minutes -
Two suspects arrested in Elmina for smuggling 250 bags of cocoa beans
48 minutes -
Abuakwa South MP launches 4th edition of BECE support programme
57 minutes -
Lives of Staff and students of GLISS threatened by ECOMOG slum dwellers over impending demolition
1 hour -
Ouattara slams Hearts fans over lack of support, urges loyalty to local clubs
1 hour -
Minority slams government over poor handling of nurses’ strike
1 hour -
EGL launches “Cedi Apicki Apicki” Promo to cushion consumers amid cedi appreciation
1 hour -
Photos: Interesting images for funeral of late Mamponghene Daasebre Osei Bonsu II
1 hour -
Bibiani GoldStars CEO confirms Frimpong Manso will stay after historic title win
1 hour -
Ghana Internet Governance Forum 2025 promotes inclusive digital future
1 hour -
Drivers with unapproved tinted windows to pay fine as DVLA begins full enforcement of new road worthy penalties
1 hour -
Deploying retired nurses and midwives won’t solve ongoing strike – GRNMA General Secretary
2 hours -
Sinapi Aba Mentorship Program hosts participants at regional network conference for sustainable business connections
2 hours