Omane Boamah Calls For Vigilance As EC Debunks Reports On Creation Of 25 New Constituencies

The Director of Elections and IT of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has called for vigilance among his party members ahead of the 2024 general elections.

This followed the reports on social media that the Electoral Commission (EC) intended to create 25 additional constituencies, reports the EC has denied.

“I commend the public for the robust anger manifested yesterday against the creation of 25 new constituencies. Fortunately, EC has cleared the air. Remain on high alert,” the former Minister of Communications wrote on X.

The EC dismissed the reports and further said it was only creating one constituency, which is the Guan Constituency in the Oti Region.

In a statement, the Commission said “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 Commission has not taken any decision on creating constituencies beyond that of the Guan. We urge the General Public to disregard this statement.”

The elections management body on Tuesday, October 31 laid before Parliament a Constitutional Instrument (CI) for the establishment of the Guan constituency.

The Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies) Amendment Instrument 2023 seeks to capture the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi SALL traditional areas that were unable to vote for a Parliamentary Candidate in the 2020 General Elections.

The CI was laid before the house by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

This amendment is to establish the new constituency, in addition to the existing 275 constituencies.

It is however expected that a bill to create additional constituencies for the 2024 general elections will be tabled before the House for consideration after extensive stakeholder considerations.

The Electoral Commission had previously indicated its ongoing efforts to create new constituencies.

Commissioner for Corporate Affairs of the Electoral Commission Bossman Asare previously has indicated that the Guan District is among the areas set to receive a new constituency, as the Commission initiates the process of creating new constituencies for the 2024 elections.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has referred the instrument to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of the house for consideration and report.