Haruna Iddrisu To Seek Legal Redress Against EC

A directive issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to cease operations by September 4th, is likely to run into difficulties in Tamale and some parts of Yendi.

This is due to threats by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu to seek legal redress if the Electoral Commission (EC) goes ahead to conduct District Assembly elections in the areas.

The directive, issued by sector Minister, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, is to pave way for the Electoral Commission to conduct district level elections nationwide.

According to Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the Ministry would inaugurate new Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies between September 25th and 29th this year.

But it appears that the MP for Tamale South, Harunna Iddrisu, could derail the process if he carries out his threat to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court over the status of Tamale and Yendi.

In an interview with CITI NEWS, Haruna Iddrisu said that assembly members in both Tamale and Yendi have not yet completed their four-year constitutionally mandated period of service, therefore, it would be unconstitutional to dissolve them.

Meanwhile, the Director Of Public Affairs of the Electoral Commission, Mr Yorke Aidoo, says the EC would not prevent anyone going to court on the issue.

He, however, indicated that the focus on the Commission is a misplaced one, since, according to him, the Local Government Ministry is the supervising body for the assemblies.

He told CITI NEWS that the Electoral Commission would go ahead and organize the District Assembly elections in the Yendi and Tamale areas in accordance with the directive issued by the Local Government Ministry.