Local Gov’t Minister accused of ploy to manipulate DCE election in East Mamprusi

There is brewing tension in East Mamprusi in the Northern Region as the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, has been accused of a ploy to get President Nana Akufo-Addo’s nominee of district chief executive approved.

Hajia Mahama is said to have called for fresh elections contrary to the Local Government Act after the president’s nominee was rejected last Thursday.

Abdul Nasir Danladi could not get the required two-thirds endorsement after he polled 33 out of 50 votes at the East Mamprusi District Assembly Hall. But fresh elections are said to have been called by the Minister for Tuesday, May 9.

According to the Local Government Act, a nominee can be up for elections after 10 days of failing to get the Assembly’s approval. But the next East Mamprusi election, which was requested by the the Local Government Minister, who is also an ex-officio member of the Assembly, will be held less than 10 days after the previous one.

In an interview with www.3news.com, a former aspiring Member of Parliament, Muhammad Sampa, accused the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) of being manipulated. He says even the ballot papers used for last Thursday’s elections were not from the Commission.

He said the Assembly members should be allowed to freely make their choice through the ballot box and not be intimidated to accept someone they do not like.