Politics of Friday, 13 May 2005

Source: GNA

Ga East District fails to elect Presiding Member

Accra, May 13, GNA - The Ga East District for the second time failed to elect a Presiding Member at its meeting on Thursday. M. Zaccharia Baba Abdulai, Assemblyman of Taatso Electoral area polled 10 ballots out of the 16 votes cast while Nii Adjertey Mohenu, Chief of Abokobi got six. Thus none of them got the two-thirds of the votes required to win the election.

Mr Prosper Tudi, the Electoral Officer in-charge, called for a break to allow the candidates to consult with the electorate for another round of the balloting but the two camps could not strike a compromise. Mr Tudi, therefore, called off the election to allow the Assembly Members to reconsider their nominations as well as their entrenched positions.

Ms Gloria Akuffo, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, said she was unhappy with the situation and asked the Members to allow maturity and objectivity to guide their decisions.

She said they should ensure that their political affiliation did not influence the election adding "the business of the assembly should take precedence over any other thing".

The Deputy Minister pleaded with the Members to make up their minds to ensure that they found a presiding member during the third election.

"Your development would be affected if you are not able to elect a Presiding Member because a leader is required to direct affairs", she said.