Narration: Two sitting MPs in the Upper East Region lost surprisingly in last Saturday’s NDC parliament constituency elections held nationwide. They are Timothy Ataboadey Awontiirum, MP for Builsa North and Simon Akunye Atingban MP for Pusiga Constituencies. On the other hand, Information Minister, John Tia Akologo who is also the MP for Talensi and the Majority Leader in Parliament, Cletus Apul Avoka who also represent as the MP for the Zebilla constituency retained their seat as sitting MPs. Hon Avoka went unopposed during the filling of nomination was granted popular acclamation by officials of the electoral commission. Our Upper East Regional Correspondent, Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.
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| Hon. Avoka before the performance of his acclamation |
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| Hon. John Tia Akolgo addressing delegates after the election |
The Majority Leader in Parliament and MP for Zebilla, Hon. Cletus Apul Avoka went unopposed and was granted popular acclamation by the electoral commission. At a brief durbar attended by enthusiastic party delegates and supporters, Mr. Avoka showed his deepest appreciation to the entire members of the party in the constituency and thanked them for the confidence repose in him. According to him his victory signifies victory for the NDC party, come December, 2012 and urged party followers to remain strong and united as always. His acclamation brought together dignitaries including the Deputy National Coordinator for NADMO, Mr. Sylvester Azantilow and the District Chief Executive for Bawku West, Alhaji Anabah Moro among other party functionaries. Mr. Avoka who had contested for the 4th time as MP prayed for a peaceful General Election devoid of conflict and electoral malpractices. He therefore, used the opportunity to appeal to all and sundry to come out and register in the upcoming biometric registration exercise slated for March, this year. The DCE on the other hand seized the opportunity to outlined developmental project undertaken in the last three years of the NDC administration and commended the majority leader for his tireless contribution in ensuring the development of projects carried out in the District. He thanked party supporters for rallying solidly behind the Majority leaders to continue with the mantle given to him in the last election. Aftermath the acclamation of Hon. Cletus Avoka, Ghana Today took turns to witness the voting exercise in some constituencies of the region. Oour visit to Tongo in the Talensi constituency saw officials of the electoral commission counting the ballot papers. The exercise was done at the full glare of security personnel and representatives of the various contestants. At the end of the exercise, the Information Minister, Hon. John Tia Akologo who also represent as the Member of Parliament for the area was declared winner after clinching 186 out of the number of votes cast to beat his closest contestant, a former National Olympics Chairman, Benson Baba Tongo, who had 89 votes. Mr. Edward Adimazoya also had 21 votes whilst Mr. Simon Nabia clinched only 5 votes to beat Peter Tobil Kapeog, who had only 4 votes. In all 306 delegates exercise their franchise amidst heavy security presence. Mr. Akologo in his victory message thanked the delegates for the confidence repose in him and called for unity among party faithful. Mr. Akolgo also promised supporters and delegates of his resolve to continue with his developmental agenda when given the nod in the December election. He therefore, called for unity and cooperation from both party supporters and charged them to conduct themselves in every situation they find themselves. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo who was present during the voting exercise also called on the other contestants to accept defeat and throw their weight behind Mr Akologo so that together they can build a strong and formidable party to conquer the opposition NPP in the December General Election. He said the peaceful manner at which the election was conducted goes on to explain that there was absolute freedom and peace in the party. Voting in the Bolgatanga constituency ended around 4.30 pm and saw the sitting MP, Hon. Emmanuel Adombire Opam Brown, winning massively to beat his closet rival, Mr. Mathew Akayigre Adombire. After a successful voting, Mr. Opam Brown retained his seat as MP, having clinched a total vote of 398 whilst Mr. Adombire Akayigre had 103. Thirty votes were considered invalid by officials of the electoral commission after the electoral process. One unfortunate development was that one delegate died in the early hours of yesterday, so in all 532 out of 533 delegate cast their votes to retain the sitting MP. The MP for Nabdam Constituency, Hon Moses Asaga also retained his seat as sitting MP, after a successful voting process in the constituency. He had 121 votes to outwit his main challenger, Mr. Sebig Martin who had only 37 votes out of the number of votes cast. The source puts the number of delegates to 161 though three of them were absent during the voting process. At Pusiga in the Bawku municipality sources revealed that voting went on smoothly without any hitch. Aftermath the event, the only female who doubles as the National Deputy Women’s Propaganda Secretary , Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba claimed the Pusiga constituency election. She had 89 votes out of the number of valid votes cast whilst her closest contender, Mr. Aboko Akudugu had 81 votes. Hajia Ayamba was able to beat the sitting MP for the area, Hon Akunye Atingban Simon, who surprisingly polled 38. Mr. George Banbill Azunga also polled 47 votes at the end of voting. Another sitting MP for Builsa North, Tmothy Awontiirim Ataboadey also lost to Mr. James Agalga, a legal practitioner. Mr. Ataboadey polled 74 votes whiles lawyer Agalga clinched 123 votes. Other contestants namely Philip Azaikoba, George Abavelin and Seth Aduedem Alafa polled 22, 42 and 6 respectively with only one vote rejected. Moreover, voting in the Garu-Tempane constituency saw Hon Dominic Azuma Azimbe retaining his seat as sitting MP. He polled 195 votes to beat his other 6 contestants. His close contestant Mr. Essagol Joseph Lama, who is the Regional Director, Non-Formal Education won 92 votes followed by Akuka Alalzuuga. Delegates in the Bongo constituency also decided to retain Hon Albert Abongo, sitting MP for Bongo. He had 132 votes whilst Mr. Edward Abambire Bawa of TOR polled 116 followed by Akamugri Donatus. One of the contestants, Mr. Charles Adongo Bawa-Duah had the least vote of 51. In all 30 aspirants including one female contested in the NDC Parliamentary Primaries of the region.
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