Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, has firmly rejected assertions made by members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the eligibility of Charles Opoku, a contender from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to participate in the upcoming Assin North by-election.
The majority leader has dismissed these claims, stating that they are being driven by NDC members, including Sammy Gyamfi, the party’s National Communications Officer, due to Charles Opoku not being a registered voter in Assin North.
In an interview on Sompa FM on Monday, June 5, 2023, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained that one does not necessarily have to be a registered voter in a particular constituency to contest parliamentary elections there.
This clarification counters the opposition’s allegations and highlights that the eligibility criteria extend beyond voter registration status.
The majority leader firmly refuted the opposition’s claims, emphasizing that Charles Opoku meets the necessary requirements to participate in the Assin North by-election.
The assertions made by members of the NDC, including Sammy Gyamfi, are viewed as politically motivated attempts to discredit the NPP contender.
As the by-election in Assin North draws near, the clarification from the Majority Leader serves to address any confusion surrounding the eligibility of candidates.
It highlights the importance of understanding the broader criteria for parliamentary elections beyond voter registration status, ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.
“Article 94 (of the Constitution) says: that subject to the provisions of this Article a person shall not qualify to be a member of parliament (MP) unless he is a citizen of Ghana, has attained the age of 21 years and is a registered voter.
“The person must be a resident of the constituency in which he stands as a candidate. So, the condition is that you have to be a Ghanaian, a registered voter and a resident of the constituency he wants to contest in. The person we are talking about meets all these requirements.
“Even if you are not a resident of the constituency, you must have stayed there for at least 5 years of the 10 years immediately preceding the election you what to contest in. You can even contest even if you are not a resident but are a native of the constituency,” he said in the Twi.
“If there are laws which go contrary to the constitution, those laws are null and void. This is what I can tell my little brother,” the majority leader and Member of Parliament for Suame added while referring to Sammy Gyamfi.
Two individuals, Charles Opoku and Frederick Freeman Amoah-Kyei, have obtained nomination forms to contest in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary primaries for the Assin North by-election.
The party’s candidate selection process is scheduled for June 7, 2023. The Electoral Commission of Ghana has designated Tuesday, June 27, 2023, as the date for the by-election.
In the midst of these developments, the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, has outlined specific disqualifications for individuals aspiring to become Members of Parliament.
He emphasized that individuals who fail to fulfill their tax obligations, have been convicted of serious crimes, or owe loyalty to other countries are ineligible for parliamentary positions.
In a related development, the NDC has announced that their candidate for the forthcoming Assin North by-election is James Gyakye Quayson, the former Member of Parliament who was removed from office.
