The by-election for the Abetifi Constituency in the Eastern Region comes off today, as scheduled by the Electoral Commission (EC).
The by-election, which is in accordance with Article 112(5) of the Constitution, has become necessary following the death of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Peter Wiafe Pepera.
Four aspirants from different political parties in the persons of Bryan Acheampong of the New Patriotic Party; Edmund Nkansah, Progressive People’s Party; Kenneth Nii Quaye, United Front Party and Vida Konadu Enim of Independent People’s Party have filed their nomination papers to contest for the vacant seat.
About 43,773 people are expected to cast their votes across the 117 polling stations in the constituency to elect one person as a Member of Parliament to replace the late MP.
The Abetifi electoral officer, Stella, confirmed to DAILY GUIDE that all was set for the polls to take place as scheduled.
The NDC had earlier picked nomination forms to contest in the race but later pulled out with the excuse that it’s too close to the general election – a position taken by the party. This has created confusion between the constituency executives and the party’s youth.
Bawumia Campaigns For NPP
The vice presidential candidate of the NPP Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and other bigwigs of the party on Thursday and Friday stormed the Abetifi Constituency to campaign for Mr Brian Acheampong to retain the seat for the party.
Dr. Bawumia charged the residents to consider the NPP as the best choice in the November 7 elections as “the NDC has nothing good to offer.”
NPP Predicts Victory
Meanwhile, the Regional Communications Director of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), David Prah, has predicted massive victory for the party’s candidate.
Mr. Prah revealed that the late MP left a huge legacy in terms of development and assisting in other aspects of life, which would be the yardstick for the electorate to vote for the NPP candidate so that he can continue with the good work done by his predecessor.
He chided the ruling NDC for boycotting the by-election, noting that it is because of the government’s failure to deliver on the promises made to Ghanaians. He therefore, urged the electorate to vote against the party in the general election.
Peter Pepera’s Burial
Meanwhile, the mortal remains of the late MP, who died on May 21 at the 37 Military Hospital, will be buried at a private cemetery at Abetifi on July 23, 2016.
The late law maker, who died two weeks after his 62nd birthday, was once a deputy minister of Trade and Industry in the National Democratic Congress administration of Jerry John Rawlings before joining the NPP in 2001.
He was a ranking member of the Trade and Industry Committee in parliament.
FROM Daniel Bampoe, Kwahu – Abetifi