President Akufo-Addo’s nominee, Alhaji Alidu Seidu for Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Asokore Mampong Assembly in the Ashanti region, has been turned down by the Assembly members.
The elections held on Friday 28th April, 2017, didn’t favour Alhaji Seidu as he secured seven YES votes against eight NO votes, representing 46.7 per cent, in spit of a call on all the Assembly members to give him a 100% endorsement, prio the elections.
A total of 15 assembly members, made up of 10 elected and five government appointees were present for the voting.
A nominated metropolitan, municipal or district chief executive needs a two thirds majority approval by assembly members, to be confirmed for the position according to the Local Government Act – 1993 (ACT 462).
If a nominee does not get the two thirds approval at the first round of voting but secures more than 50 per cent, the person gets a second chance.
Since Alhaji Seidu could not obtain more than 50 per cent of the votes, he would not get a second chance and therefore President Akufo-Addo would have to nominate another person.
Alhaji Seidu was the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for election 2016 in the Asawasi constituency.
But lost by about 6,000 votes to Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who secured 39,095 votes as against Seidu’s 33,490.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei Mensah and his deputy, Elizabeth Agyemang were both present for the voting which took place at Asokore Mampong.
Some of the disappointed supporters of Alhaji Seidu, accused Alhaji Muntaka, the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, for masterminding the defeat.
According to the aggrieved supporters, Hon. Muntaka saw Alidu Seidu as a big threat in any future parliamentary elections, if he was to get endorsement as MCE.
Meavoting, Alhaji Muntaka was not present at the voting grounds.
By: Sammy Adjei / Newsgha.com.gh
