NO BY-ELECTION IN MFANTSEMAN CONSTITUENCY – SPEAKER.

The Speaker of Parliament ; Rt Rev . Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye yesterday on the floor of Parliament hinted there will be no by – election following the demise of Hon. Ekow Quansah Hayford , MP for Mfantseman in the Central region.

The attack and killing of the Member of Parliament in the Constituency has made the seat vacant , needing urgent replacement.

The member of Parliament was attacked by some unknown assailants along the Abease – Dominase stretch towards Mankessim. He was attacked together with his driver who later died at the hospital.

The murderers took the life of the honourable legislator by shooting him twice at the chest , making him weak and helpless leading to his demise at 1am on the Eve of October 9th, 2020.

The incident took the whole country into a state of shock and mourning as Constituents described the late Ekow Quansah Hayford as gentle , peaceful and very approachable.

There has been some speculations by people in the Constituency on a possible by – election before the general election in December. But the Speaker  of the august house hinted that there will be no by – election to that effect , ‘no time at all as there are only fifty – four ( 54) days away to the December polls’.

According to the 1992 constitution; article 112 clause (5), there shall be a by-election anytime the seat of MP becomes vacant , the election should be held within 30days after the demise of the person.

Clause (6) add up to say that , election of such vacant position can not be held 3 months prior to the general election , meaning there should be a nomination by the party involved till the term end and another general election held.

On the floor of Parliament yesterday the Speaker stressed that , looking at the current situation there wouldn’t be any by-election. This declaration got massive support from both the Majority and the Minority caucus present.

Meanwhile , the leadership of the New Patriotic Party has announced Thursday , 15th October 2020 to name the one that fits and can retain the seat for them in the Constituency .

Already the name of the wife of the deceased MP has popped up for the slot , but official announcement will be made soon by the party leadership.

She would be battling with James Essoun of the NDC in the upcoming December 7 polls.

 

Filed By :  Stephen Kobina Nyamekye