EC rules out creation of new constituencies ahead of 2020 polls
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has no plans to expand the 275 constituencies in the country for the upcoming December 2020 polls.
This was revealed by Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Eric Asare Bossman, in an interview on Accra-based Joy FM on Monday.
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In November 2020, the country will hold general and parliamentary polls with some advocates calling for the split of certain constituencies and creation of fresh ones.
But Dr Bossman maintains: “So far the Commission has not talked about creating new constituencies and from where I seat, I don’t think new constituencies are going to be created for this 2020 elections”.
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Article 47(5) of the 1992 Constitution mandates the EC to “review the division of Ghana into constituencies at intervals of not less than seven years, or within 12 months after the publication of the enumeration figures after holding of a census of the population of Ghana, whichever is earlier, as may, as a result, alter constituencies”.
The EC increased the number of constituencies to 275 from 230 in 2012.
Reports in April 2019 linked to First Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim had suggested the addition of some 25 new seats.
Ghana had 200 seats in 1992 which was only increased prior to the 2004 polls to 230. This was maintained until 2012 after which it was reviewed upward.
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In anticipation of increased constituencies, there was a proposal to build a 450-seater parliamentary chamber estimated to cost GHC200m. The idea was however dropped after a public uproar.