NDC elects MP for Sunyani West

Mantukwa (B/A), Aug. 28, GNA - A 53 year old development consultant, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, was on Wednesday elected as the National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for Sunyani West Constituency, at the party's primaries at Mantukwa. He polled 157 votes to beat his rivals, Mr Ahmed Boadan, who obtained 11, the Reverend Adjei Ntow, 18, and Mr Obeng Apraku Tandoh who had 37 votes. The exercise, which was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and supervised by the Electoral Commission, saw 223 out of the 226 delegates cast their ballot.

The other three delegates were absent. Before the election, Mr Ishak Twumasi Ankrah, Constituency Chairman, dismissed the notion that the NDC was a violent party. He expressed optimism about the party's chances of annexing the parliamentary seat, which has been held by the NPP since 1996. Mr Nyamekye-Marfo thanked the delegates and assured them of hard work, to win the seat.

He urged the losing candidates to support him and rally behind the party to ensure victory in the up-coming elections. Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, former District Chief Executive for Sunyani between 1991 and 1993, stated that the mass patronage of the recent voters' registration exercise by the youth, some of whom spent the night at the centres in order to get registered, was an indication that people were fed up with the NPP government and were therefore desirous for a change, and the NDC represented that change. He appealed to the party agents to be extra vigilant on polling day, to prevent vote rigging.

"You shouldn't allow yourselves to fall prey to anybody's tactics and manipulation. All you need to do is to open your eyes wide to monitor and follow the process on that day," he told them. The losing candidates pledged their total support and commitment to the winning candidate and promised to work hard for the party ahead of the December election.