Wa, June 13, GNA - The People's National Convention (PNC) on Saturday elected Mr Benard Mornah, a 31 year-old Public Servant, as its parliamentary candidate for the Wa Central constituency in Election 2004.

He polled 29 votes as against three, by his only opponent, Mr Tahiru Ibraihim Sidik, a Teacher, in the constituency's primaries supervised by the Electoral Commission at Wa.

Eight of the 40 delegates failed to turn up for the elections. The event was nearly marred by confusion when one of the candidates, Mr Sidik called for the postponement of the primaries because he suspected foul play.

After the initial hiccup, a referendum was consequently conducted in response to his request and 29 of the 32 delegates voted against the postponement.

Mr Mornah thanked the delegates for electing him and called for support from all supporters to enable the Party to capture the seat. "The battle is not for me alone to fight but for all Party Members to arm ourselves to face the battle ahead", Mr Mornah stated. Alhaji Saaka Jamatutu, Constituency Chairman, called for patience, sacrifice and hard work to enable the Party to win power. He said they activists should not be thinking of reward now. "Our reward will come when we are in power".

Mr Sidik congratulated Mr Mornah for his victory and pledged to give him his fullest support during his campaign for the seat.