Former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Adomako Kissi, has advocated for a significant change in the country’s electoral process.
He proposed a new law that would allow political parties to hold on to parliamentary seats for the entire four-year term when vacancies occur, eliminating the need for by-elections.
Dr. Kissi’s remarks, made on Tuesday, August 12, struck a chord with many as he highlighted the unrest and security challenges that often accompany by-elections. “I support the idea where the seat is left for the party for four years. This will help stop the hotly contested races that cause violence and strife, deeply rooted in the current behavior of Ghanaians,” he explained.
The former MP pointed to the grave consequences of by-elections, referencing recent tragic events that have marred the political landscape, including the near-death of a former Minister of State at Ablekuma North. “Because of our Ghanaian nature and the pressing security issues, including deaths that occur during these elections, I think it is worth considering,” Dr. Kissi stated, underscoring the urgency of his proposal.
While advocating for this legislative change, Dr. Kissi made it clear that he is not seeking to limit the voters’ choice. Instead, he framed his initiative as a measure to protect lives and foster peace. His vision is that if a political party successfully claims a seat in a general election, any resulting vacancy, whether due to death or other circumstances, should be filled by the same party without contest until the parliamentary term concludes.
“To reduce the number of incidents during by-elections, we should eliminate the by-election. We need a bill that allows a party to take over for the remaining four years if circumstances arise,” he emphasized, suggesting that this approach aligns with the historical behaviors observed between the two main political parties in Ghana.
In related news, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) recently announced its decision not to field a candidate in the upcoming Tamale Central Parliamentary by-election. This decision follows the unfortunate passing of the area’s MP, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Muhammed, in a helicopter crash on August 6, highlighting the very issues of instability and loss that Dr. Kissi is keen to address.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
