Gov't Forced EC To Create 45 New Constituencies - Minority

Parliament appears divided over the creation of the 45 new constituencies by the Electoral Commission. The minority, led by Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, believes the constitutional provision that gives the EC the right to review the constituencies after every census does not necessary mean more constituencies must be added. Speaking to XYZ News, the minority leader, Mr. Mensah-Bonsu, observed that the current trend where more seats are created in parliament after every census is not sustainable and must be checked. He made references to countries where measures are being taken to reduce the number of the legislature. �The Electoral Commissioner (EC) seems to think that review necessarily means adding on. I disagree. This provision exists in the constitutions of all nations. In all democratic nations they are there. If you go to the UK today, they are reviewing the number of seats downward,� he asserted. Mr. Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu further accused government of putting pressure on Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan to create the new constituencies. �When we asked the Electoral Commissioner, he was candid enough to tell us that �my brother, I agree with you that we can�t go on this way; that my hands are being forced to do what I am doing now by the government�. That is what he told us,� he narrated. But the majority is in full support of the decision by the EC. Deputy Majority Leader, Rashid Pelpuo told XYZ News the fact that people have issues with decision by the EC does not mean they are breaching any laws. He challenged the minority to go to court if they have problems with the creation of the constituencies. Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the People�s National Convention, Hassan Ayariga, has also expressed concerns about the creation of the new constituencies. Mr Ayariga told XYZ News the country has more important things to think about than to hastily add up constituencies.