By Rebecca Ekpe
The By-election has seen Assin-North Constituency in the Central Region inundated with heavy political activity.
Over the weekend the Governing New Patriotic Party,(NPP), and the Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) rounded off campaigns in what is envisaged as a keenly contested election. The campaign reached a crescendo following the crisscrossing of the NDC and the NPP in Assin defying the downpour over the weekend to state their final pointers.
Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Assin North in the Central Region is where three Candidates are vying to occupy a seat that became vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the Poll.
The Court also ordered Parliament to expunge Gyakye Quayson’s name from its records after finding the NDC Candidate guilty of holding dual citizenship prior to filing to contest the 2020 polls.
The National Democratic Congress subsequently fielded Mr. Quayson as its Candidate for the by-election.
Charles Opoku is also contesting on the ticket of the NPP, while Bernice Enyonam Sepenu is representing the Liberal Party of Ghana, LPG.
Allegations of Vote Buying:
It is a two horse race between the NDC and the NPP and the intensity of campaigning at Assin North has exposed the level of monetization with allegations and counter allegations of sharing of items to solicit votes. Social Media Videos were seen left right and center.
A move some Political Commentators have described as unethical and also clearly undermines the democratic process.
Some also say the practice is illegal. Lawyer Martin Kpebu has even gone ahead to advise citizens to file a complaint at the Police Station to serve as evidence should the case be pursued.
In Ghana, soliciting for votes, and influencing a voter is considered a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of 1960.
Lawyer Martin Kpebu has stated that the only way to follow up legally on the issue is for a citizen of Assin to file a complaint with the Police.
Political Scientist Professor Gyampo also says collecting money for votes is like ‘’selling one’s birth rights’’.
He encouraged citizens to stay vigilant and vote based on issues.
”You are worth more than the 10 Cedis and 5kgs of rice and T Shirts..offered……”, Professor Gyampo stated in an interview in Accra.
When quizzed on the issue, Mr. Richard Ahiagbah who speaks for the NPP denied all allegations, stating that he is not in the position to colloborate the allegation, but the discussion should rather focus on the message for the people of Assin to enable the voters to make informed choices.
Regarding the message, development is a fundamental need of the people of Assin North. Some residents have been speaking of how disadvantaged they have been in the sharing of the national cake. Their plea is that Development must not elude them going forward.
Election Observers:
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers, CODEO, is supporting the work of the Electoral Commission by deploying Observers to Assin North.
It noted in a statement that “The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) as part of its mandate to mobilize citizens of Ghana to actively participate in the electoral process and to complement the efforts of Ghana’s Electoral Commission in ensuring transparent, free, fair and peaceful elections will be observing the Assin North Constituency by-elections. Recruitment and Training of Observers.”
Security:
The Inspector General of Police, Dr. Akuffo Dampare has held meetings with representatives of Political Parties and the Electoral Commission on the June 27, 2023 by-election.
His message was hinged on ensuring a transparent process.
In the past days, the Ghana Police Service has conducted a series of citizen engagements ahead of the election day.
Electoral Commission:
The Electoral Commission has indicated its readiness to carry out the Elections.
It says ”all materials and other logistics for the Assin North by-election are ready”.
Speaking to GBC News, the Central Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Gladys Pinkrah, assured the political parties in particular and Ghanaians in general of a ”free and fair by-election in Assin North”.
Who wins?
President Akufo-Addo was at Assin-North to campaign for NPP’s Candidate Charles Opoku who is an Engineer, while Former President John Mahama campaigned for NDC’s Candidate James Gyakyi Quayson, the Politician.
The bigwigs of both parties have stated why their Candidate deserves to be voted for.
The election is seen by some as a ‘sneak peek’ of the December 7, 2024, General election.
Albeit, Tuesday, June 27, 2023 will see the 32nd by-election since 1993 as in the Fourth Republic. According to Think Tank, Parliamentary Network Africa, 23 of the by-elections were held due to death, 5 resignations, 2 disqualification, 1 incarceration, 1 for cross carpet.
Still on the statistics, in terms of which Party or Government has won the most of the by-elections? The NPP leads with 160 wins, snatching 3 seats from the NDC, during the 3rd Parliament 2000-2004.
NDC is next with 13 wins, while the CPP has won once in the by-election and an Independent Candidate also has 1 win.
With a vacant seat to be filled, the Tuesday, June 27, 2023 the Assin-North by-election is seen as a crucial moment that could potentially shape the future of the Constituency and also tilt the balance of power in Ghana’s Parliament, according to Pundits.
The democracy Watchers are also taking tabs as the Assin-North by-election represents another opportunity for Ghana to consolidate its democratic gains.
