The Ghana Association of Assembly Members (GAAM) has expressed concern over how the Electoral Commission (EC) is undermining them when it comes to by-elections for a dead Assembly Members.
According to them, they have had some outstanding by-elections for some electoral areas across the country since the year 2025, but the EC has not been able to organise these bye-elections.
They argued that when it comes to a by-election when a sitting Member of Parliament is dead, the EC is quick to organize that, even though they are all governed by the same act.
The President of GAAM, Frank Ackah Nelson, made these observations in an interview with Onua News’ Nsem Titire on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
“We have several Assembly Members who are demised. We know of Ashanti Region, Western North Region. It cuts across and the EC event issued a statement to hold these by-elections since November 18, 2025, but the EC postponed these by-elections and we don’t know the reasons why the EC did not hold these by-elections”, he explained.
Mr. Nelson said they want the EC to understand that it is not only an MP whose election should be important to them since MPs and Assembly Members are governed by the same laws.
“When you look at the Local Government Act, Section 10 specify clearly how if someone passes away (Assembly Member and MP), the EC has within 60 days to hold bye-election but in this case, some of them died over six or seven months ago and as such we do not have representative in these electoral areas so we don’t know the reasons why the EC is not holding these by-elections”.
The GAAM President said they will soon petition the EC on the issue with ultimatum and afterwards, if the EC fails to heed to their demands, they will protest against the EC.
“We want our by-election to be held before that of the MP for Ayawaso East Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Mahama Naser Toure,” he demanded.
The EC has announced that a parliamentary by-election will be held in the Ayawaso East Constituency on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following the unfortunate death of the sitting MP, Mahama Naser Toure.
The EC is constitutionally mandated to organize a by-election to elect a new Member of Parliament for the constituency. The EC has opened nominations for prospective candidates seeking to contest the election, with the filing fee set at GH¢10,000. Female candidates and persons with disabilities will pay a reduced fee of GH¢7,500.
The EC has urged prospective candidates and political parties to strictly adhere to the outlined procedures and timelines to ensure a smooth and credible by-election process.
Mr. Nelson said they (Assembly Members and MPs) are all serving the nation under the same laws so the EC must ensure these by-elections are held else they will hit the streets against the EC.
Monthly allowance
Commenting on the Assembly Members’ monthly allowance, which was promised by President John Mahama, Mr. Nelson said payment has not been regular.
He said this has not been regular because there is no legal backing and that is why payments have not been regular.
“Payments for June-July were done in December 2025 and even that, some assemblies are now receiving their allowances. So, we need legal backing like that of the MPs to be sure of regular payments”, he added.
By Timothy Antwi-Otoo|3news.com|Gha
