Mr James Gyakye Quayson, the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, has urged the constituents to vote for him again in the impending by-election.
He says he wants to resume his parliamentary duties.
Mr Quayson, who contested on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has officially announced his intention to run for the seat again.
This follows the Supreme Court’s directive to Parliament to expunge his name from its records.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 1, Mr Quayson said “I am confident that you, the people of Assin North, are prepared for the bye-election.
“For more than a year, since last April, when the Supreme Court barred me from serving as your MP, you have been deprived of representation in the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic. You have suffered the same fate as the people of the SALL Traditional Areas who are also excluded from this Parliament. This is unacceptable.
“The Constitution (Article 112(5)) requires that the bye-election be held within thirty days of the Supreme Court’s decision. This will end this injustice. The voice of the people of Assin North must be heard.
“Democracy must be upheld. I appeal to you all to come out massively and vote for me so I can return to Parliament and continue the work I started for you, to promote the development agenda of Assin North.”
The NDC has decided to present him as their candidate for the by-election.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has fixed Tuesday, June 27 as the date for the by-election.
The seat became vacant after the Clerk of Parliament, Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, acted on a letter from the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, informing the Speaker about the Supreme Court’s ruling on Wednesday, May 17.
Two weeks later, the EC issued a press release stating that it will receive nominations from prospective candidates from Monday, June 12 to Wednesday June 14 from 9:00am to 12:00pm and from 2:00pm to 5:00pm each day.
The forms can be downloaded from Thursday, June 1.
“The filing fee for the election is Ten Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢10,000.00) per candidate,” said the Chairperson, Jean Mensa, in the press release.
“The nomination forms must be submitted in quadruplicate.”
