The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed disappointment that none of the political parties contesting the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election has fielded a female candidate.
Speaking at a Political Inclusion and Consensus Building Forum organised by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) on Wednesday, February 18, Bagbin stressed that representation must begin at the party level before it reflects in Parliament.
“Political parties are the gateways to representation. Parliament is the arena where representation becomes decision-making. Therefore, inclusion must begin in parties and mature in Parliament,” he said.
He revealed that he had been hopeful that at least one party would present a woman as its parliamentary candidate for the March 3 by-election.
“I was waiting for any party to have fielded a female candidate in the Ayawaso East by-election. I will personally support the candidate because we need more of our women in Parliament. Unfortunately, the parties have disappointed me,” he stated.
The by-election was triggered by the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure, in January while receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Five candidates are in the race. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is represented by Baba Jamal, who drew number one on the ballot paper. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Yussif Baba Ali, secured the number three position, while the Liberal People’s Party (LPP) candidate, Ibrahim Iddrisu, picked number two.
Independent candidates Alhaji Mohammed Umar Sanda and David Kannor will appear in the fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Meanwhile, the NDC has revoked the membership of Mohammed Umar Sanda after he chose to contest the seat as an independent candidate, describing his action as a violation of the party’s constitution.
