The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is facing pressure to organise a by-election in the Anyako electoral area of the Keta Municipality, following the elevation of former Assembly Member, Mr. Wisdom Seade, to the position of Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).
The development has left the electoral area without representation at the assembly, a situation that governance watchers say undermines the principles of local democracy and accountability.
Section 18 (5) and (7) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended, requires that vacancies in district assemblies be filled through by-elections. Civil society advocates argue that the law is clear and must be adhered to in order to protect the rights of residents in the Anyako electoral area.
Mr. Gilbert Korbla Keklie, a resident of Keta and anti-corruption crusader, has been at the forefront of the call, repeatedly petitioning the EC to uphold its mandate. In his latest reminder letter dated September 8, 2025, he urged the Commission to respect the law and ensure residents of Anyako are not disenfranchised.
“By-elections are not a favour but a constitutional requirement. Vacancies must be filled promptly to ensure citizens enjoy proper representation in local governance,” Mr. Keklie stressed in an interview.
Sources confirm that Mr. Seade has formally resigned from his role as Assembly Member after his appointment as MCE, clearing the way for the EC to act. Both his resignation letter and the petitions have reportedly been received by the Commission.
Analysts say the EC’s next steps will signal its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s decentralisation framework and safeguarding local governance. Failure to act, they warn, could set a troubling precedent where political convenience overrides community representation.
For now, the people of Anyako await clarity on when they will get the chance to elect a new Assembly Member to speak for their interests at the municipal level.
