The Electoral Commission (EC) has set Saturday, July 16, 2016, to hold a by-election in Abetifi Constituency in the Eastern Region.

A release from the Commission Friday says the date was moved from July 19 in order to make way for the planned exhibition of the voter’s register, which scheduled for July 18, 2016.

“All contesting parties have been given due notice of the change, and the Commission has put adequate measures in place to ensure a smooth electoral exercise,” said the statement signed by Head of Communication at the Commission, Erick Dzakpasu.

The Abetifi Constituency seat became vacant following the death of Peter Pepera, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Constituency on May 21.

The election will be conducted in accordance with the amended Article 112(5) of the Constitution which reads:

“(5) Whenever a vacancy occurs in Parliament, the Clerk to Parliament shall notify the Electoral Commission in writing within seven days after the vacancy occurred, and a by-election shall be held within thirty days after the vacancy occurred.”

Eastern Regional Chairman of the NDC, Tawiah Boateng has said the party is not interested in the election adding that barely five months to the general elections, it is not prudent to take part in such an exercise.

“We can’t afford to pump money into an election of which the winner will serve in Parliament for only five months and then go for a major election a few months later. We’ll rather wait for the November Parliamentary election where we’ll exert our energies and resources.”