Alhaji Alidu Seidu who was nominated for Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Asokore Mampong Assembly in the Ashanti region by President Akufo-Addo, has failed to secure the endorsement of assembly members.
Graphic Online’s reporter, Joseph Kyei-Boateng who covered the elections on Friday said Alhaji Seidu secured seven YES votes against eight NO votes, representing 46.7 per cent.
A total of 15 assembly members, made up of 10 elected and five government appointees were present for the voting.
A nominated metropolitan, municipal or district chief executive needs a two thirds majority approval by assembly members to be confirmed for the position according to the Local Government Act – 1993 (ACT 462), Section 20.
If a nominee does not get the two thirds approval at the first round of voting but secures more than 50 per cent, the person gets a second chance.
Since Alhaji Seidu could not obtain more than 50 per cent of the votes, he would not get a second chance and therefore President Akufo-Addo would have to nominate another person.
Alhaji Seidu was the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for election 2016 in the Asawasi constituency.
He lost by about 6,000 votes to Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who secured 39,095 votes as against Seidu’s 33,490.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei Mensah and his deputy, Elizabeth Agyemang were both present for the voting which took place at Asokore Mampong, the district capital.
Disappointed supporters of Alhaji Seidu, according to our reporter, pointed accusing fingers at Alhaji Muntaka, the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, accusing him of masterminding the defeat.
They argued that Muntaka saw Seidu as a threat in any future parliamentary election if he was to get endorsement as MCE.
Alhaji Muntaka himself was not present at the voting.
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