Residents of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi (SALL) traditional areas have expressed their displeasure over government's failure to grant them representation in Parliament.

In an open letter addressed to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, the aggrieved residents say they are appalled by the state's inability to address their concerns despite their numerous efforts.

The letter, which was signed by the Director of Research and Intelligence of the Joint Steering Committee of the Lolobi and Akpafu traditional areas, also blamed Parliament and the Electoral Commission for their woes.

According to the indigenes, the Electoral Commission is remotely responsible for their non-representation in Parliament. They described the Commission's inaction as "bizarre".

"The EC's role in our plight cannot be overlooked.

"It is on record that the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), with the Paramount Chiefs of Akpafu and Lolobi Traditional Areas and other stakeholders, met with the EC Chair, Jean Mensah, to demand answers to why the people of Akpafu and Lolobi were included in the referendum, when it is on record that they never petitioned the President or the Justice Brobbey Commission to join the new region to be called Oti.

She had no answer to justify the inclusion", portions of the letter read.

The letter continued, "Our understanding of the exclusion of the SALL Traditional Areas was as a result of the issuance of an administrative fiat by the EC, which we find worrisome.

"Our lay understanding of exercising our voting franchise emanates from Chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution which guarantees Rights".

The locals further stressed that, "It is therefore unconstitutional and illegal for EC to use an administrative fiat, which is not grounded in law to take away rights that are guaranteed.

"It is not only bizarre, but undermines our fundamental human rights and a threat to our democracy".

They have therefore called on the Attorney-General to expedite action in relation to their representation in Parliament.

It would be recalled that the Electoral Commission (EC) through a release issued on the eve of the 2020 elections, caused the exclusion of SALL to vote and elect a Member of Parliament.

Although voters in the SALL traditional areas were allowed to vote in the Buem Constituency for the presidential election, they were directed by the EC not to participate in the parliamentary elections.

This subsequently generated a lot of agitations, with some legal luminaries describing the order as unlawful.

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, says one surest way of getting parliamentary representation for Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi (SALL) residents is to annul the 2020 parliamentary elections of Buem.

In his view, this will offer an opportunity for SALL residents to be captured under the said area.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/a-g-pushes-for-annulment-of-buem-parliamentary-elections-to-allow-for-fresh-sall-polls/

The Buem Constituency currently has the National Democratic Congress' Kofi Adams as its Member of Parliament.