The National Democratic Party (NDP) has disclosed that presenting a candidate for the upcoming Ejisu by-election is currently not a priority to the party.
According to the General Secretary of the party, Alhaji Frimpong, the NDP is putting things together ahead of the 2024 general election, adding that the party would consider the race if the regional unit deemed it necessary.
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Addressing the media, Mr Frimpong said “This has come as a piece of news to us, and that is why we’re still meeting. There’s also an IPAC meeting on the 9th of April, so between now and the meeting with IPAC, we will decide if the regional body demands it. However, this is not a priority.”
He further called on political parties to concentrate on communal inclusivity and participation in governance.
“Systematically our own elected legislators have conspired to stifle inclusion and participation of the people in governance, leaving governance very opaque to the detriment of development. In the election year, all discourse is centered on party manifestos and infrastructure.
“Political parties tend to build walls around themselves to the exclusion of potent ideas and innovation, rather than shallow manifestos. Political parties must concentrate on inclusivity and participation in governance as the surest means to protect the public purse,” he stated.
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.