Accra, March 20, GNA - Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, on Tuesday said there was the need to address the issue of abuse of incumbency during by-elections.

The Minority Leader cited the detention of some officials of National Democratic Congress party in the March 13, Nkoranzah-North by-elections.

He said there was the need to examine the performance of state institutions and the security agencies, such as the police during the conduct of elections to ensure freedom at such events. Mr Bagbin, welcoming Major Derrick Oduro (rtd), the newly elected member for Nkoranzah-North, said the NDC party officials, as a result of their detention, could not go round to observe the elections, which did not augur well for the country's democratic culture.

The Minority Leader said the NDC would later hold a press conference to address some of these issues and make its position clear. He urged the new member to see his election as an opportunity not to make money but to serve his people selflessly.

He also said a look should be taken at the service conditions of members of parliament, which sometimes resulted in their struggling to survive and getting into all types of problems.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader, Mr Felix Owusu-Agyepong, said the people of Nkoranzah did not lose out on development projects despite the absence of the former MP, who is currently facing trial in the United States for his alleged involvement in narcotics drugs.

He urged the leadership of the House to offer guidance to the new MP to enable him to perform creditably. Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, the Speaker also welcomed the member after leading him through the Oath of Allegiance and that of a Member of Parliament. 20 March 07