The New Juaben South Municipal Assembly has failed to elect a Presiding Member for the third consecutive time.
Barely two weeks ago, Rapture Botwe, the incumbent Presiding Member seeking reelection had 28 votes against his contender Nana Yaw Debrah who had 22 votes during the first round of voting.
In the second round of voting held the same day, the votes of Rapture Botwe surprisingly reduced to 25 while his contender’s increased to 25
During the third round of the election held on Monday, the incumbent Rapture Botwe’s votes increased to 30 while the contender Nana Yaw Debrah reduced to 20 votes.
Article 244 (1) of the 1992 Constitution states that “The District Assembly shall have a Presiding Member who shall be elected by the assembly from among its members.”
Article 244 (2) of the Constitution further directs that “The Presiding Member shall be elected by at least two-thirds majority of all the members of the Assembly.”
The election of the Presiding Member for New Juaben South was marred by confusion.
A few minutes before the election, a government appointee Hon. Wahab was handed a dismissal letter over suspicion that he was against the reelection bid of the incumbent Presiding Member Rapture Botwe.
The move was resisted by almost half creating confusion and temporal suspension of the electoral process. He was eventually axed and denied the voting right
Assembly members in the New Juaben South Municipality are divided over the reelection of the Rapture Botwe for a second term over what some describe as gross incompetence and poor leadership.
However, Rapture Botwe is heavily supported by the Municipal Chief Executive, Isaac Appaw Gyasi, and the Member of Parliament Michael Okyere Baafi.
A presiding Member presides over meetings of the Assembly and performs such other functions as may be prescribed by law.
There are attempts to hold the fourth round of voting But some assembly members say that will amount to illegality since it is contrary to law.
In addressing the media, the MCE for New Juaben South Hon. Isaac Appaw Gyasi said the situation has forced the assembly to push in extra resources that have not been budgeted for into the election, this he said is a waste of resources.
He explained that if the situation stays for a long time and the assembly is not able to elect the presiding member, it will be a cost for the assembly and will also impede the development of the assembly.
He however urged all the assembly members to come together as one and rally their support behind one candidate to restore calm and unity in the assembly.
He explained that due to the split and misunderstanding among the members, as MCE he needed to retain calm among the members and reschedule a new date for the fourth round of the election.
But some assembly members are threatening to injunct the election since it violates the constitution which allows for only three rounds.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah