Wulensi Bye-Election Set For February 20

The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that the bye-election at Wulensi constituency in the Northern Region, following the disqualification of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr Samuel Nyimakan would take place on February 20 2003.

A notice of election released by the EC in Accra directed that the nomination of candidates shall take place at the office of the Returning Officer at Wulensi on February 5th and 6th between 0900- 12 noon and 1400-1700 hours each day. The released signed by the Electoral Commissioner, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan said two registered voters must second nomination papers and delivered to the Returning Officer. It said every nomination must be supported by 18 other registered voters from the constituency, with the consent of the candidate endorsed thereon.

The statement said nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer with the required deposit of 200,000 cedis Bank Draft and two clear and recent post-card photographs (bust) in colour with red background. The poll shall be held at all polling stations in the Constituency between 7 am and 1700 hours on voting day. The release requested that all questions to the elections should be addressed to the Returning Officer at Wulensi. The Supreme Court on January 15 disqualified Mr Nyimakan by a majority decision from standing as a candidate for election in the constituency.

The ruling followed a preliminary objection raised by Mr E.O Appiah counsel for Mr Fuseini Zakaria of the constituency praying the court to uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal, which earlier ruled in favour of the applicant that Mr Nyimakan did not qualify to feature as MP because he did not hail from the area. The release said the clerk of parliament had notified the EC of the occurrence of a vacancy in Parliament. The Commission subsequently issued a Writ of Election to the Wulensi Returning Officer. Meanwhile Mr Nyimakan is praying the Supreme Court to review its decision.