EC confirms plans to conduct by-election in Anyako Electoral Area

By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA 

Keta (V/R) June 24, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has officially confirmed it is working to fill all vacancies within various District Assemblies through the conduct of by-elections. 

The by elections would include the Anyako Electoral Area, in Keta Municipality of Volta Region  

The letter, dated June 18, 2026, and signed by Dr Bossman E. Asare, the Deputy Chairman, Corporate Services, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, addressed to Mr Gilbert Korbla Keklie, and sighted by GNA was in response to the constitutional right regarding the filling of the said vacancy. 

The Electoral Commission, in the correspondence, cited Section 10 (7) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) and Article 45 (b) and (f) of the 1997 Constitution as the legal basis for its obligation to conduct all public elections, including District Assembly by-elections to fill vacant seats. 

According to the EC, pursuant to the constitutional and legislative requirements, the Commission was working round the clock to ensure that all vacancies that exist within various District Assemblies, including that of the Anyako Electoral Area, were filled through the conduct of by-elections. 

The Commission acknowledged Mr Keklie’s candid pursuit of his constitutional right and expressed hope to meet his request sooner rather than later, indicating that the process of conducting the Anyako Electoral Area by-election is actively being pursued. 

Mr Keklie, told the Ghana News Agency that, the development signaled a positive breakthrough for residents of the Anyako Electoral Area, who have been without representation on the District Assembly following the emergence of a vacancy that has left the constituency without a duly elected assembly member. 

He explained that the right of every electoral area to be represented on a District Assembly was enshrined in the Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and the Local Governance Act, 2016, which collectively mandate the Electoral Commission to fill any vacancy that arises through democratic elections within a constitutionally stipulated timeframe. 

“The pursuit of the matter through an official demand notice to the Electoral Commission is a demonstration of active citizenship,” he said. 

Mr Keklie stressed that residents in the Anyako area hopeful that the Commission’s assurance would translate into the prompt conduct of the by-election to restore their democratic representation after Mr Wisdom Seade, the former Assembly Member was elevated to the status of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Keta. 

He stated that the Anyako Electoral Area falls under the Keta Municipality in the Volta Region, and the absence of an elected assembly member has implications for community development, local governance participation, and the representation of the area’s interests at the District Assembly level. 

He urged all stakeholders, including political parties, community leaders, and eligible voters in the Anyako Electoral Area, to remain prepared to participate in the forthcoming by-election when a date is officially announced, as the Commission continues to work diligently to fulfill its constitutional mandate of ensuring that no electoral area is left without due democratic representation. 

GNA 

Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah