The Asante Akim North District Assembly on Wednesday rejected Mr Paul Kinsley Aweh Averu, the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive (DCE) at a special meeting held at Agogo.

Mr Averu, a Laboratory Technician at the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, fell short of only one vote as he polled 20 instead of 21 votes needed to obtain the stipulated two thirds margin of the 31-member Assembly.

This makes the Assembly the first to reject a nominee in the region since the President released names of nominees for confirmation by the various assemblies.

The public, who thronged the venue of the election, expressed disappointment at the situation which they said would stifle the development of the district.

They argued that the absence of a DCE since the inauguration of the district last year had affected the development of the district and wished that the nominee would have been confirmed to facilitate speedy development.

Mr Eric Opoku, the Ashanti Regional Minister, had earlier urged the Assembly to emulate other assemblies in the region who had all confirmed their nominees to maintain the status quo.

He said the district required a DCE through whom the Regional Security Council could address the menace of Fulani Herdsmen, which had over the years been a major source of concern to the people.

The interest of the electorate, he noted, must not be sacrificed for political reasons, adding that the district assembly concept was people centered.

Mr Emmanuel Owusu, the Presiding Member prior to the election also reminded the members on the need to be guided by the numerous challenges facing the district as they made a decision on the nominee.