The National Delegates Congress of the Convention Party (CP) at the University of Ghana Legon, run into difficulty over the election of a Chairman and interpretation of the party's new constitution.
Under the constitution approved by the 1,236 delegates earlier on, any candidate contesting for the position of National Chairman should poll 50 per cent of the votes cast at the congress.
However, Dr Abubakar Alhassan and Dr Edmund Delle, two of the five contestants, emerged first and second but could not secure 50 per cent of the votes. Dr Alhassan had 419, representing 37.4 per cent while Dr Delle polled 399, representing 35.2 per cent of the votes.
At this stage, some leading members of the party and supporters of Dr Alhassan tried to persuade Dr Delle to step down. Confusion then engulfed the whole electoral process, holding up deliberations for two hours because other leading members and supporters of Dr Delle rejected the idea that he should step down for party unity, arguing that the position was keenly contested with only a 20-vote margin in favor of Dr Alhassan.
No amount of words could convince Dr Delle and his team who called for a second round of ballot. The congress, which should have closed on Saturday, continued until early Sunday morning.
The interim national executive led by Mr. Kojo Botsio, PCP MPs including Mr. Freddie Blay, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and other leading members of the CP went into consultations behind closed doors apparently to convince Dr Delle to step down.
When they returned at two o'clock on Sunday to continue deliberations, Mr. Botsio announced that due to the stalemate and tenets of the constitution, the first Vice Chairman, would act as Chairman until September, when fresh election would be held alongside that of Presidential Candidate.
In the end majority of the delegates had to leave before the congress closed, whilst found solace in sleep at the Central Cafeteria of the University. The diehards who sat through to the end had to contend with disappointment.
Mr. Ebo Tawiah and Professor Mawuse Dake, who also contested the position, had 216 votes and 49 votes respectively.
For the position of vice chairman, Mr. Felix Amoah polled 840, Mr. Donkor Ayifli, 637 with Mr. Mike Eghan polling 592 votes to become the first, second and third Vice Chairmen. Dr Nii Noi Duwuona secured 872 votes to beat Mr. Kwesi Baidoo who polled 214 votes to become the General Secretary.
Mr. Martin Donkor had 741 votes to become the National Treasurer with his opponent, Mr. Kwadwo Danquah polling 344 votes. A total of 25 votes were declared invalid out of the 1,110 cast. Mr. Botsio called for unity among the new executive and members to ensure victory in future elections.
The Central Committee of the party would make appointment to the positions of Deputy General Secretary, National Women and Youth Organizers.
