Mr John Boadu, a former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has questioned the relevance of parliamentary bye-elections that do not alter Parliament’s balance of power.
He cited low voter turnout in the Ayawaso East bye-election and similar trends in previous polls as grounds for his position.
Mr Boadu made the remarks on Tuesday after touring the Nima 1 JHS Polling Centre at Nima during the Ayawaso East parliamentary bye-election.
Speaking to journalists, he said the exercise had so far been peaceful but expressed concern about voter apathy.
“It’s a problem,” he said of the low turnout observed at some polling stations.
“Bye-election over the years has been like that. Maybe it just brings to question the relevance of bye-election, particularly when the winner of the election does not change the balance of power in Parliament.”
Mr. Boadu stated that by-elections became critical only when they determined which party held the majority in the House.
“I know if it is critical and very close, bye-election becomes very important in determining who has majority or minority.
“But if it does not determine the balance of power in Parliament, I think that it’s important that we have proper discussions,” he said.
Mr Boadu called for broader national dialogue involving political parties, civil society organisations and the Electoral Commission to review the conduct and cost of bye-elections.
“Sometimes the needless resources that we commit in today’s election and the violence and all that is something that does not match the investment we put into such venture,” he added.
On the conduct of the polls, Mr. Boadu said the process had been calm.
“The election is not drawing of bullets and flying of drones and all that; it’s just taking decision for your community,” he said, expressing hope that the exercise would end peacefully.
The Ayawaso East seat, in the Ayawaso East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, has been held by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 1992.
The bye-election followed a vacancy in Parliament, prompting the Electoral Commission to schedule the poll for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.