Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee(CRC), Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh, has suggested a new approach to handling parliamentary vacancies resulting from the death of a sitting Member of Parliament (MP), particularly those that occur within a year of a general election.

In a statement posted on his Facebook wall, Prof. Prempeh questioned the need for costly and often contentious by-elections in such instances.

Instead, he proposed that the political party that previously held the seat should be given the right to nominate a replacement.

“What if, instead of a by-election, the party that held the seat was given the right to elect a replacement whenever a vacancy occurs within 12 months of the last election?” he wrote.

Prof. Prempeh’s proposal, which is already stirring public debate, seeks to reduce the stress, cost, and political tension often associated with mid-term by-elections—especially in constituencies where outcomes are typically predictable due to strong party loyalty.

The suggestion comes at a time when Ghana has witnessed several by-elections triggered by the unfortunate passing of sitting MPs, sparking discussions about whether the current system adequately serves the public interest.

The idea would require constitutional and legislative changes, but it aligns with broader calls for electoral reforms aimed at improving governance efficiency and democratic stability.

Prof. Prempeh’s comments have attracted both support and criticism online, with some applauding the practicality of the idea, while others raise concerns about its implications for voter choice and democratic accountability.

The Constitutional Review Committee is currently gathering views on potential reforms, and Prof. Prempeh’s statement is expected to fuel further national conversations on how best to manage unexpected parliamentary vacancies.