Offinso (Ash), July 20, GNA - For the first time in the history of the Offinso District Assembly in Ashanti, the President's nominee for the post of District Chief Executive got the nod at the first ballot. Mr Augustine Collins Ntim polled 45 out of the 63 votes representing 71.4 per cent of the total votes cast with 18 assembly members voting against him.

Unlike in the past when the Assembly amid bickering rejected nominees of the President and compromise candidates had to be looked for, the poll on Wednesday was peaceful.

Even before Mr Samuel Yorke-Aidoo, Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, which conducted the poll, announced the results, supporters of Mr Ntim had started jubilation.

When the result was finally announced, there was a spontaneous applause from both Assembly members and the public, which had massed at the Assembly Hall to watch the polls.

Speaking after the polls, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, who commended the assembly members for their show of support, called for unity in the Assembly to enable them to give of their best. He was happy that for the first time, the Assembly had confirmed the President's nominee without any problems and reminded them that it was the beginning of a new era in the District.

Mr Boafo asked the Assembly members and the entire citizenry to eschew all divisive tendencies that could destroy the harmony in the area.

In his acceptance speech, the new DCE expressed his appreciation to all the Assembly members for the show of confidence in him and pledged to give of his best.

Nana Wiafe Akenten III, Offinsohene and Mr J.Y. Oduro, the immediate past DCE, witnessed the ceremony.