The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has disclosed that it is yet to decide whether to participate in the Ejisu by-election following the tragic demise of the Member of Parliament for the Constituency, John Kumah.
According to the Deputy General Secretary of the party, Mustapha Gbande, the NDC is currently prioritising mourning the MP’s demise rather than rushing to fill the vacant seat.
Mr Gbande urged NDC sympathizers in the constituency to be patient, assuring them that the party will disclose its intentions regarding the by-election in due course.
“We all have to exercise restraint and look forward as the party comes up with the conversations that will lead up to a decision that will be in the best interest of the party, a decision that will give all of us the victory and expectation that we want.
“As of now, we are not there yet so we encourage party members to continue to work with structures of the party on the ground in anticipation of whatever will come from national. But as of now, we also encourage them to keep mourning with the family because we particularly mourn with the children of the late John Kumah,” Mr Gbande said on Citi News.
READ ALSO: Kwesi Nyantakyi Declares Intention To Contest Ejisu By-Election
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has expressed its readiness to conduct a by-election in the Ejisu Constituency in the Ashanti Region.
The Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, indicated that the commission would conduct the by-election in accordance with the provision of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
By-Election Under The Eighth Parliament
This is the third time the EC would be conducting a by-election under the eighth Parliament.
The first by-election was held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, following the death of the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Kumawu Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Philip Basoah.
At the end of the election, Ernest Yaw Anim retained the seat for the ruling New Patriotic Party.
The second by-election was held in the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Following allegations of false declaration of office and perjury, a court ruling deemed James Gyakye Quayson’s election invalid, leading to the vacant seat and the subsequent need for a by-election.
At the end of the election, the NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson won with 17,245 votes, representing 57.56 per cent of the valid votes cast, with the NPP candidate, Charles Opoku, coming second with 12,630 votes, representing 42.15 per cent.