EC reacts to law lecturer’s claim of ‘constitutional blunder’ in Oti Region creation

The Electoral Commission (EC) has denied a claim of constitutional blunder in the creation of Oti Region.

Dr Abdul Baasit Bamba, a lecturer at the University of Ghana School has called for the revocation of the law creating the Oti Region,citing the EC and President Nana Akufo-Addo for constitutional violations and blunders in the creation of the region.

Oti Region was carved out of the existing Volta Region in 2018 after a referendum in the area had received a massive endorsement. But Dr Basit Bamba in his article says the exercise may have been one in futility.

In part one of a five parts article, he said the Hohoe constituency can now be found in two regions i.e. the Oti and Volta region.

“The Brobbey Commission proposed that the Oti Region should comprise the Biakoye District, Jasikan District, Kadjebi District, Krachi East Municipality, Krachi Nchumuru District, Krachi West District, Nkwanta North District, Nkwanta South Municipality and Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi Traditional areas. (Page xxv of the Commission’s report),” Dr Bamba wrote.

However, reacting to the claim by the lecturer on Joy News’ current affairs programme, PM Express, on Monday, Deputy Chairperson of the Commission in-charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, said the EC has only implemented the recommendation of the Brobbey Commission and cannot be cited for any breach.

“His Excellency the President set up a Commission of Enquiry for the creation of the new regions and the recommendation took into consideration the areas which are to form the regions. This is not the creation of the EC, this is something which the Commission of Enquiry recommended and the President referred to the Commission [EC],” Mr Tettey said.

Deputy Chairperson of the Commission in-charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey

He gave the assurance that if indeed there are issues with the creation of the region, the Commission will take a look at it and then respond appropriately.

When the host of the programme, Ayisha Ibrahim, asked Mr Tettey if the EC will revoke the law that created the region, he said that will depend on the counsel of the EC’s legal team.

Meanwhile, Dr Bamba maintains that the aspirations of the people of the Oti Region for a new region have been jeopardised by the failure and or neglect of the EC to pay attention to detail resulting in a constitutional blunder.

Myjoyonline.com