Two people have picked forms to contest in the New Patriotic Party’s primary to select a parliamentary candidate for the Assin North by-election. 

They are Frederick Amoah Kyei and Charles Opoku.

Speaking to JoyNews’ Samuel Mbura, the party’s Director of Elections, Evans Nimako said the party has put in place measures to fast-track the process since the election will take place in less than a month.

He noted that as a result, vetting will be on Friday, June 2, while the primary to select a candidate will be conducted on Wednesday, June 7.

“The National Vice Chairperson, Mr. Danquah ⁠Smith, will sit with the committee to conduct a vetting. We need to select a candidate and this is going to be done by the party in Assin North constituency. I mean the polling station executives, electoral coordinators, constituency executives, council of elders and patrons within the constituency. The party is not imposing candidates on them,” he said.

Mr Nimako stated that the NPP is optimistic they will win the by-election.

A by-election in Assin North has become necessary after parliament wrote to the Electoral Commission declaring the seat vacant.

This followed the Supreme Court ruling that the Electoral Commission acted unconstitutionally in allowing Mr Quayson to contest the 2020 parliamentary election without proof of him renouncing his Canadian Citizenship.

The apex court in their ruling ordered parliament to expunge James Gyakye Quayson's name from its records as a Member of Parliament.

It further declared that his election was unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect. His swearing-in was equally declared to be unconstitutional

Meanwhile, the NDC is backing Mr Quayson to stand again as their candidate in the by-election.

“I am determined to continue serving the good people of the Assin North with all my heart, soul, body and all the resources I can muster for the benefit of my constituents.”

The former MP urged the constituents to come out in their numbers and vote for him to return to Parliament, and continue the work he had started for the development of Assin North.