James Gyakye Quayson has declared his intention to run for the Assin North Constituency by-election after he was ousted from parliament following a Supreme Court verdict.
In effect of a verdict by the Supreme Court presided by Justice John Dotse on May 17, for parliament to expunge James Gyakye Quayson’s name from it’s records, the seat was declared vacant in Parliament on May 30 hence giving way for a by-election.
James Gyakye Quayson who has been ousted due to his dual citizenship at the time of filling for the Parliamentary nominations on the ticket of the NDC in 2020 has declared his intention to run again for the same position ahead of the by-election.
He stated that the constituents have been denied representation following the court order since last year April and he knows they are ready for the by- election.
He reckoned that, democracy must be restored and called on the constituents to cast their ballot for him as he heads to represent the National Democratic Congress in the imminent by-election.
“I know that you, the people of Assin North, are ready for the bye-election. Since last year April, when the Supreme Court stopped me from performing my duties as your representative in Parliament, you have been without representation in the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic. Like the people of the SALL Traditional Areas who are excluded from representation in this Parliament, you the people of Assin North too have been in that unacceptable situation for over a year.“
“The bye-election, which must be held within thirty days of the decision of the SupremeCourt, according to the Constitution (Article 112(5)), will bring an end to this situation.The will of the people of Assin North must triumph.”
“Democracy must be restored. I urge you all to come out in your numbers to vote for me so I return to Parliament and continue the work I began to do on your behalf, towards advancing the Assin North development agenda.” he stated.
Prior to his intent declaration, the National Democratic Congress were resolute on representing him as their candidate for the by-election. In an interview with Umaru Sanda on Citi FM’s Eyewitness news yesterday, the National Democratic Congress’ Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande reiterated the party’s position on presenting James Gyakye Quayson as their candidate believing he is credible and loved by the constituents and deemed the claims of the party ‘ditching’ him as a propaganda tactics from the NPP.
“We have stated that we are re-presenting the candidate that we know, James Gyakye Quayson, who is credible and loved by his constituents. That decision has not changed. It is propaganda coming from the NPP to attack the integrity of our candidate that we are ditching him. The party has not said so. He is eligible to contest an election, and he is innocent until a court finds him guilty” he stated.
The Assin North seat was declared vacant by Parliament’s Clerk on May 30 following the Supreme Court’s unanimous verdict for Gyakye Quayson’s name to be expunged. The constituency will head into a by-election according to the Constitution Article 112(5).