The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced its readiness to conduct a by-election for the Ejisu Constituency in the Ashanti region following the passing of Member of Parliament, John Kumah.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Francis Abban, the Director for Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, stated that the Commission is prepared to organize the by-election as required.
“Article 112 of the Constitution says that when a vacancy occurs the Clerk of Parliament will inform the Electoral Commission seven days after the incident. When we are informed and it is an ordinary incident the Commission has thirty days but if it is a result of death we have sixty days to conduct a by-election.
“If the vacancy occurs less than three months to a General Election there will not be an election, so as far as the Commission is concerned and in our budget we always prepare for by-elections. So as and when we are informed officially we will kick start the process and we are ever ready,” Mr. Quaicoe explained.
Dr. John Kumah, who had been battling an undisclosed illness and sought treatment in Germany, returned to Ghana to ensure the passage of critical revenue measures in the 2024 budget after the minority threatened rejection.
His sudden demise has deeply affected Parliament, with Deputy Finance Minister and MP for Atiwa East, Mrs. Abena Osei-Asare, breaking down upon hearing the news.