In accordance with the 1992 constitution of Ghana, article 42 states “Every citizen of Ghana, eighteen years of age or above and of sound mind has the right to vote and is entitled to be registered as a voter for the purposes of public elections and referenda”.
However, that can not be said of the people living in Santrokofi, Apkafu, Lolobi and Lipke (SALL). These residents have had to live with no representation in parliament since 2020.
Therefore, activities or duties that should to be carried out by a member of parliament in that constituency hasn’t materialised since they do not have a say in the law-making process as far as election 2020 was concerned.
In a statement cited by RGG NEWS on May 15, the EC stated they did not disenfranchise the people in the newly created Guan Constituency. This response by the commission has generated some controversy in the country.
In an interview with Fred Agbenyo, he believes the move by the EC was a calculated attempt to deny the people of the Guan Constituency of their rights.
Adding that looking at the turn of events in the 8th parliament with both parties tied at 137 seats, should the EC have gone ahead with a bye-election it would have given the opposition party an upper hand on the floor of parliament. He therefore thinks it was a well thought through plan by the ruling government.
He says efforts are being put in place for the constituency to have a representation in the 2024 election however, the limited registration exercise in that part of the country is having a toll on them since they have to transport individuals to the centres and back to have them registered.
He is therefore calling on the EC to take the concerns of all stakeholders who matter in the limited registration exercise and act accordingly not to favour anyone.
