The Ghana Electoral Commission has denied claims of the creation of twenty-five additional constituencies ahead of the 2024 General Elections clarifying that only one new constituency, the Guan Constituency in the Oti Region, is being established.
The claims which made buzz on social media alleged the creation of the new constituencies, which contrasted the supposed promise of creating one more constituency.
In a press statement released by the EC on October 31, 2023, the commission swiftly made emphasis on its goal to create only one constituency, the Guan Cponstituency in the Oti region.
“The attention of the Electoral Commission has been drawn to a statement in the media to the effect that 25 New Constituencies are going to be created ahead of the 2024 General Elections. The Commission wishes to state for the information of the General Public that it is only creating One Constituency, which is the Guan Constituency in the Oti Region.”
The EC further urged the public to disregard any information suggesting the creation of additional constituencies beyond Guan, clearly indicating that there has been no decision taken to establish more than the specified constituency.
“The Commission has not taken any decision on creating constituencies beyond that of the Guan. We urge the General Public to disregard this statement.”
The move to create the Guan Constituency was evidenced on Tuesday, October 31, when the Electoral Commission presented a Constitutional Instrument (CI) to Parliament. The CI, known as the Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies) Amendment Instrument 2023, aims to encompass the Likpe, Lolobi, Santrokofi, and Akpafu traditional areas which were areas that were unable to participate in the 2020 General Elections.
The CI was laid before Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, specifying the establishment of the new constituency in addition to the existing 275 constituencies. Following the presentation of the instrument, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, referred it to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee for detailed consideration and subsequent reporting.
This development has sparked anticipation and debates among stakeholders, as the potential creation of additional constituencies for the upcoming elections remains under scrutiny
In conclusion, while the EC is resolute in its creation of the Guan Constituency, the subject of further constituencies remains a matter for future deliberation, awaiting comprehensive stakeholder consultations and parliamentary decisions.
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Story by : Nsoh Ezekiel | univers.ug.edu.gh
