Regional co-ordinating council reacts to MPs' letter to Kufuor

Bolgatanga (Upper East) -- The Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) has expressed disgust at portions of a letter written and signed by five NDC Members of Parliament from the region to the President on the Bawku conflict.

It referred particularly to the aspect, which claimed that the President had withdrawn his nominee, Mr Abdul Rhaman Gumah, for the position of District Chief Executive for Bawku East after a controversy over the nominee's qualification for a second round election, and said that impression was misleading.

A statement signed by the Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr George Anaba, explained that by virtue of part four, section eight of the model standing orders for district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies, the nominee, having scored 50 per cent of the valid votes cast on May 17, last year, qualified for a second ballot.

Mr Anaba said the Regional Minister, Mahami Salifu had not entrusted his special assistance, Mr Gumah, with any executive functions in the district assembly as was being propagated by the MPs.

He said the letter to the President on the conflict purported to address issues but in fact sought to impute acts of indiscretion to the Regional Minister for appointing a special assistant.

The Co-ordinating Director said the appointment of a special assistant had been completely misinterpreted by the MPs and it was therefore necessary for the RCC to set the records straight.

On the issue of Mr Gumah's qualification for a second round ballot, Mr Anaba explained that 77 assembly members were present and voted on that day. Mr Gumah obtained 38 votes in his favour and 38 votes against him.

He said one ballot paper was discovered blank and therefore declared not valid. Mr Gumah was therefore declared by the Regional Electoral Officer to have obtained 50 per cent of the votes cast.

Mr Anaba said on the same day, one Mr J.M. Awimbilla petitioned the Regional Electoral Officer, seeking to prevent him from conducting a second ballot for the confirmation of Mr Gumah as DCE.

He said the Electoral Commission confirmed that by law Mr Gumah qualified for a second ballot, having obtained 50 per cent of the valid votes cast.