Contrary to media reports that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a mark of respect for the murdered Abuakwa North Member of Parliament (MP), Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, may boycott the yet to be declared vacant seat, the NDC will contest the seat.
According to the Deputy National Organiser of the party, Mr. Mahdi Jibrill, the party has never boycotted any bye-election in the country and the Abuakwa North one will not be an exception.
Mr. Jibrill said though circumstances surrounding his death are bizarre, there is no way the party will base its decision on that, adding that the last bye-election conducted at the Amenfi West constituency was also as a result of the demise of the MP, John Gyetuah, but the major parties contested.
He said during that time the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) did not boycott the bye-election. The organiser revealed that the party has contested many bye-elections following the death of MPs because it is part of its structures to contest whenever a position is declared vacant.
“As far as I know, the party has never said anywhere that it will not contest when a bye-election is finally declared. We have not discussed the decision to go or not to go,” he stated.
Mr. Mahdi said “I doubt if NDC will say they will not contest in the upcoming bye-election.”
It can be recalled that on Tuesday February 9, 2016, the NPP MP for Abuakwa North, Mr Danquah-Adu was murdered at his Shiashie residence in Accra around 1:30 am.
Following the demise of the MP and in accordance with the 1992 constituency of the Republic of Ghana, the Electoral Commission under Article 112 (5) is enjoined to declare the seat vacant.
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