Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority leader
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Osei-Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, has questioned the creation of new constituencies which was necessitated by the creation of new districts in the country.
The Electoral Commission is planning to add 45 more constituencies to the existing 230, following the creation of new districts by the government.
The EC is increasing the number of constituencies in the Ashanti Region from 39 to 47. Volta Region increases from 22 to 26, the same as Western Region.
Central Region increased from 19 to 23, Eastern Region increased by five more constituencies from 28 to 33, whilst that of the Greater Accra Region increased from 27 to 34.
In the Upper East, two more constituencies have been created, putting the figure at 15, with the figure for Upper West Region increasing by one, from 10 to 11.
The Northern Region increased from 26 to 31, with the Brong Ahafo also getting an increase of five constituencies, from 24 to 29.
Article 47(5) of the 1992 Constitution mandates the EC to “review the division of Ghana into constituencies at intervals of not less than seven years, or within 12 months after the publication of the enumeration figures after holding of a census of the population of Ghana, whichever is earlier, as may, as a result, alter constituencies”.
Whilst conceding that the action by the EC was grounded in law, Mr Bonsu was quick to add the phenomenon lent itself to abuse by political heads.
“I agree that is also a constitutional requirement, but just doing that will not meet what the constitution provides. Otherwise, you can have any president who would, out of whatever reason other than equity, create districts to suit his own purpose and then force the hand of the EC to create constituencies to favour a particular political party. It appears that is what we are witnessing,” he told Joy FM.
The EC, in 2004, increased the number of constituencies from 200 to the current 230.
Osei-Kyei-Mensah Bonsu said the EC should determine what the population quota was, “so we know how many constituencies ought to be created in which areas”.
“…A district created needs a constituency but it cannot be allowed for a situation a constituency with 20,000 people is represented by one person with another constituency with 200,000 people is represented by one Member of Parliament. That situation does not obtain anywhere in the world,” he argued.
Myjoyonline.com
