Konongo (Ash), Sept. 29, GNA - Mr George Kyei-Baffour, President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) on Tuesday, lost his seat as assembly member for Konongo Ahenbronum Electoral Area in the Asante-Akim North District. He polled 779 out of 1,868 total votes cast as against 1,046 of his rival and successor, Mr Ken Opoku Asiedu with 43 ballot papers being rejected.

Mr Kyei-Baffour, who was also the Presiding member of the recently dissolved assembly, was seeking re-election for a fourth term having been in the assembly since 1994.

His defeat comes barely a year after he was elected NALAG President, casting doubts over his eligibility to hold on to the position reserved only for incumbent assembly members until his term of office elapses.

Though Mr Kyei-Baffour's defeat was inevitable prior to the election, as most of the electorate called for a change, the yawning margin with which he lost surprised many. The Konongo-Ahenbronum Electoral Area took the centre stage in the district's elections exercise after two contestants, Anthony Amofa and Timothy Kyei withdrew their candidature, when they mounted the platform at the eleventh hour and threw their weights behind Mr Asiedu. This resulted in a fierce contest between the two, both accusing each other of intimidation, thereby heightening the tension between their supporters.

As a result, the District Electoral Officer, Mr Mensah Boateng, had to call for police re-enforcement to forestall any nasty incidence before the votes could be counted. The declaration, however, saw supporters of Mr Asiedu's jubilation deep into the night amidst fanfare. 29 Sept. 06