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Former Anyaa Sowutuom MP, Dr. Adomako Kissi, is advocating for a new law that would allow political parties to retain parliamentary seats for the entire four-year term if a vacancy arises, eliminating the need for by-elections.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Tuesday, August 12, Dr. Kissi argued that the move would prevent 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,” he said, citing incidents of violence, including the near-death of a former Minister of State during the Ablekuma North by-election.
Dr. Kissi emphasised that the proposal is not about denying voters their rights but about safeguarding lives and ensuring peace. He suggested that once a party wins a seat in a general election, any vacancy caused by death or other circumstances should be filled by that party until the end of the term.
“If we want fewer incidents at by-elections, then there should be no by-election… the party should just take over for the four years,” he stated.
His comments come as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) recently announced it will not contest the upcoming Tamale Central by-election, following the death of the area’s MP, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Muhammed, in the August 6 military helicopter crash.
