EC Breaks Silence On Ejisu By-elections

The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), has not yet received an official notification from parliament to hold by-elections in the wake of the death of the Member of Parliament for the Ejisu constituency in the Ashanti Region.

Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Director of Electoral Services for the Electoral Commission (EC), revealed in an interview that the 1992 constitution forbids by-elections when a vacancy occurs less than three (3) months prior to general elections.

“If you look at Article 112 as amended, we won’t hold a by-election if a vacancy occurs fewer than three (3) months before general elections. However, the commission must schedule a by-election if it endures more than three months”.

Additionally, he stated that the Commission has not received official notification from Parliament of the passing of the late John Kumah, the Deputy Minister of Finance, and the Member of Parliament for Ejisu, as required by the constitution.

He asserts that Parliament has seven (7) days to inform the commission of the vacancy.

In an interview with the media, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe stated that the EC is forced to call a by-election for the constituency’s voters as soon as it learns of the official notification of the Ejisu MP’s passing, and there are fewer than three months until the general election.

Story by Nhyiraba Kwadwo