Bolgatanga, Feb 08, GNA - Mr Francis Afoko on Tuesday polled 12 votes to retain his position as the Upper East Region's representative on the Council of State.

He beat five other contestants in an election conducted in Bolgatanga by the Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission (EC). Initially, eight candidates filed to contest the position but two of them, Mr Joseph Cyril Abartey and Mr John-Baptist Tigeneriba, pulled out of the race at the last minute, leaving six contestants to vie for votes from the 16-member electoral college.

Madam Agnes Atayila, Presiding Member of the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, polled three votes, Mr Robert Ajene, former Principal of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic, polled one vote.

Mr. Philip Babachuweh, Mrs. Susana Mahama, and Mr Alfred Kwara, scored zero votes each.