Gwollu (U/W), May 4, GNA - Mr George Hikah Benson, Upper West Regional Minister was on Saturday elected to contest the Sissala West parliamentary seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections.

He polled 37 votes to beat Mr Patrick Adama, a UK-based Mining Engineer, who got 29 ballots at a special delegates' congress held at Gwollu, the district capital.

At the Sissala East constituency primary held at Tumu on the same day, Mr Ahmed Issah Baworo, an official of the Northern Electricity Department of the Volta River Authority was elected to contest the seat for the NPP.

He polled 38 votes to beat three others; Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, a Teacher who had 29 votes; Mr Fuseini Limann, a Customs Officer, who got five votes; and Mr Henry Bipuah, a retired educationist, who polled two votes.

Officials of the Electoral Commission, led by Mr Yahaya Mahama, the Regional Director, conducted the elections. The two parliamentary candidates pledged to take the two seats, currently held by the People's National Convention and appealed for unity and support from members of the Party to enable them achieve their goals.

Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Abubakari, Upper West Regional Chairman of the NPP, said the Party was bigger than any individual and therefore urged supporters of the losing aspirants to unite behind the candidates to enable them win the two seats.

He said the regional executives fought hard to get nominations to be opened in the two constituencies and it would be a big blow to them if they did not win them.

All the unsuccessful aspirants pledged to rally their supporters behind the candidates to enable them win the seats.