Keta: Some concerned citizens in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct a by-election in the Anyako Electoral Area. The call came as Mr. Wisdom Seade, the Assembly member of the Anyako Electoral Area, was elevated to the position of the Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), leaving the position vacant.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Gilbert Korbla Keklie, a citizen of the Municipality, submitted a petition to the Electoral Commission on August 14, also copied to the agency, arguing that the current representation in the Anyako Electoral Area was inadequate. He highlighted a violation of the 1992 constitution, stating, "In the quest to defend the 1992 constitution, I write to officially notify the EC that it has violated provisions as indicated supra of an Act of Parliament of Ghana Article 11(1)(b) of the constitution."
He explained that in March 2025, Mr. Wisdom Seade was appointed the MCE of Keta following article 243 (1) of the 1992 constitution, necessitating procedures by the EC to conduct a by-election. Mr. Keklie noted that Mr. Seade had resigned as the Assembly member of Anyako electoral area, as per Section 10(5) (c) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), yet the EC has not conducted a by-election since then.
The petition further mentioned that the secretary of the Keta Municipal Assembly notified the Keta EC about Mr. Seade's resignation on May 15, 2025. The Keta EC confirmed compliance with section 10(7) of the Local Governance Act 2016 (936) in a letter dated June 9, 2025. Mr. Keklie argued against the EC's requirement to compile a list of all vacant electoral areas nationwide before conducting a by-election, claiming it breached Section 10(5) and (7) of the Local Governance Act 2016 (Act 936).
He emphasized that the EC does not wait to compile a list of vacant seats in Parliament before conducting a by-election if a vacancy arises there. He demanded the EC take steps to conduct a by-election within 7 days to ensure fair representation in the Assembly. He warned of pursuing judicial review through Mandamus at the High Court if the request is unmet, to compel the EC to hold the by-election.
Mr. Wisdom Seade expressed that efforts were underway to encourage the EC to conduct a by-election at Anyako, urging citizens to remain calm. Other citizens also voiced concerns regarding the electoral process, calling on the EC to fulfill its constitutional duties to ensure fair representation and elections.
The EC, responsible for compiling the register of voters, demarcating electoral boundaries, and conducting public elections, is expected to regulate its functions, including voter registration and election conduct. Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution mandates the EC to ensure all citizens have equal access to the electoral process, guaranteeing every citizen's right to vote.
If the petition succeeds, the EC may need to conduct a by-election in the Anyako electoral area, potentially involving a new electoral process with voter registration, candidate nominations, and voting.
