Scrap by-elections, let parties keep seats for four years

Former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Adomako Kissi, has called for the enactment of a law that would allow political parties to retain parliamentary seats for a full four-year term when vacancies arise, instead of holding by-elections.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Tuesday, August 12, Dr. Kissi argued that such a measure would help curb the tensions, violence, and security risks that often accompany by-elections in Ghana.

“I support the idea where the seat is left for the party for the four years, so that these hotly contested things based on the current behaviour of Ghanaians will be stopped.

“Because of our Ghanaian nature, and looking at the security issues and the deaths that occur during by-elections, including the near-death of a former Minister of State at Ablekuma North, I think it is worth considering,” he said.

Dr. Kissi stressed that the proposal is not about denying voters a choice, but about safeguarding lives and maintaining peace. He added that once a party wins a seat in a general election, any vacancy due to death or other circumstances should be filled by the same party without contest until the end of the parliamentary term.

“If we want fewer incidents at by-elections, then there should be no by-election. There should be a bill that, once you win the election and circumstances happen, the party should just take over for the four years. I think that convention should hold, and it will make sense largely because of the behaviour of the two parties over time,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced that it will not field a candidate in the upcoming Tamale Central Parliamentary by-election, following the tragic death of the area’s Member of Parliament, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Muhammed, in the August 6 helicopter crash.