Appiah Brobbey, a historian, has joined growing calls for reforms to Ghana’s by-election process, proposing that when a sitting Member of Parliament dies, only the political party on whose ticket the MP was elected should be permitted to present a replacement candidate.
According to him, such a restriction should apply strictly to party-affiliated MPs. In cases where the deceased MP was an independent candidate, Brobbey argues that all interested political parties should be allowed to field candidates to contest the vacant seat.
He maintained that this approach would significantly reduce the financial burden associated with by-elections, benefiting both the government and political parties, which often incur substantial costs during nationwide campaigns for a single constituency.
Brobbey further suggested that the government and political parties should reach a consensus to implement this proposal without delay. He believes the upcoming by-election in Ayawaso East presents an appropriate starting point, proposing that only the National Democratic Congress (NDC) be allowed to nominate a candidate to replace the late MP, Naser Mahama.
He stressed that beyond cost savings, such reforms would promote political stability and respect the original choice of voters, while preventing unnecessary political tension during periods of national mourning.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku