Only bye-elections could fill vacancies in assemblies - EC

Ho, May 28, GNA - Miss Grace Ave, an Assemblywoman for Biakpa-Fume in the Ho Municipal Assembly who resigned from the Assembly more than one year ago, is seeking to resume her seat in the assembly.

Mr Leonard Kokoroko, the Presiding Member of the assembly, who announced this at the assembly's second meeting on Tuesday, said chiefs in the Biakpa-Fume electoral area have selected one Victor Abudu to replace Miss Ave in the assembly.

When contacted on these developments Miss Lawrentia Kpatakpa, Volta Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), said it was illegal to select persons to fill vacancies created by elected members in the assemblies.

She said the act establishing the assemblies was unambiguous on how such vacancies could be filled and this is through bye-elections. Regarding whether Miss Ave was still entitled to her seat in the assembly following her long absence, Ms Kpatakpa said the assembly should invoke its standing orders on absenteeism to resolve the matter.