Jaman Assembly fails to elect Presiding Member

Drobo (B/A), Sept 22, GNA - The Jaman South District Assembly on Tuesday failed to elect a new Presiding Member after two rounds of voting.

The election of a new Presiding Member became necessary following the creation of the Jaman North District. None of the three contestants polled the required two third majority of 24 out of the 36 Assembly Members in the first round.

Mr Gabriel Kyeremeh from Mpuasu, an Interpreter at the Sunyani High Court and Mr. Asamoah Boateng, Assembly Member for Katakyiekrom and Director of Health polled 15 and 8 respectively out of the total of 30 votes cast to eliminate Mr. Kofi Nti Aka, Assembly Member for Gonasua and Assistant Director of Education who had 7 votes.

In the second round Mr Kyeremeh had 23 votes, one less than the required two third while Mr. Boateng received seven votes. Mr Johnson Ofori Asubonteng, the DCE, expressed regret at the unsuccessful election and blamed some individuals whom he said polarized the election on tribal lines.

He cautioned those responsible to desist from such acts, as it would not augur well for the "reborn" Assembly.

Mr Kyeremeh said even though he needed only a single vote to emerge victorious, he saw the exercise as free and fair and appealed to the House to vote for him during the second exercise so he could contribute to the development of the district.