Tamale, June 30, GNA - The Northern Region branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has elected four parliamentary candidates to contest Election 2004 on the Party's ticket.

A 50-year-old Circuit Supervisor of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Lalil George Maaban was elected unopposed as the NDC parliamentary candidate for Wulensi at a constituency conference, attended by all delegates from the branches and supervised by officials of the District Electoral Commission.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Maaban told the delegates and supporters that with their support, the Wulensi seat would be a "forgone conclusion for the NDC".

Alhaji Alhassan Bila, Regional Welfare Officer who led a two-man team from the Regional Secretariat to the conference, urged members of the Party to remain united and refrain from internal bickering since that would undermine its fortunes.

He said the NDC was poised for victory in Election 2004.

At the Karaga Constituency, Mr Iddrisu Dawuda, a Teacher was also elected as the Party's Parliamentary candidate.

He polled 124 votes to defeat Mr Oliver Sigli Mahamudu, who polled 14 at the primaries.

Mr Mahamudu pledged his support for Mr Dawuda in the elections. Mr Dawuda thanked the delegates for electing him and called on supporters of the Party not to relent in their efforts to ensure victory for the NDC.

Alhaji Imoro Issifu Alhassan, Regional Administrative Secretary of the NDC, told the delegates that the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) election promises to the electorate in the 2000 elections had remained unfulfilled and that Ghanaians would not like to retain it in power. Mr Abubakari Issah Osman, who led the NPP delegation to witness the NDC primaries, appealed for violence-free electioneering campaign and a peaceful December elections, saying, "there is no need for insults in partisan politics and commended the NDC for extending a hand of friendship with such an invitation.

Mr Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim, a Contractor, was elected the parliamentary candidate for the newly created Yagaba/Kubori constituency in the West Mamprusi District. He polled 70 votes to beat Mrs Susan Adams, a former Member of Parliament, who had 50 votes.

Mr Ibrahim in his acceptance speech thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him and called for maximum support to enable him to annex the new seat.

Alhaji Hudu Iddrisu, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Gushiegu/Karaga, was endorsed for the third time running. He was elected unopposed.

The Gushiegu/Karaga constituency has been split into Gushiegu and Karaga constituencies.

Speaking at the function, Alhaji Iddrisu said that the Gushiegu seat had been and would still be the preserve of the NDC.