The Mampong Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region has again failed to elect a new Presiding Member (PM) after third round of voting. This occurred at a Special Meeting of the Assembly held on Friday 23rd February, 2024 at the Assembly Hall in Mampong. It would be recalled that members of the Mampong Municipal Assembly on Monday February, 12, 2024 failed to elect a Presiding Member at its inaugural meeting after first round of voting and a run-off. The Friday’s meeting was in accordance with the statutory mandated 10-days set for the election of the PM after the failed attempts last time. The Assembly was therefore expected to elect a presiding member at this final round of the election. Members were at this time required to vote only once, compared to the previous election of Presiding Member.
The two candidates who contested the Presiding Member position in the first and second rounds and also in the final round were Hon. Agyei Tuffour Ebenezer, Assembly Member for Kofiase Atonaso Electoral Area and Hon. Piouse Godfred, Assembly Member for Woraso Electoral Area. The Mampong Electoral Commission put in place every necessary arrangements at the assembly hall to ensure free, fair and transparent election with the security officers present to ensure safety and security for all members. The Mampong High Court Judge, His Worship Fumey Dennis Eyram was also present and ready to swear-in the winner of the election should there be one.
However, that never happened as the assembly members were sharply divided in the choice of the two candidates who had vied for the position of the Presiding member and this reflected in their voting pattern. All the 49 elegible members were present and voted in the election. The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mampong Constituency, a member of the 50 capacity Assembly who had no voting right was unable to attend the meeting.
At the end of the contest, Hon. Agyei Tuffour Ebenezer had 25 votes whilst Hon. Piouse Godfred obtained 24 votes. There was no spoilt ballot or rejected ballot, and the total valid votes cast was 49, same as total votes cast.
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mampong, Mr. Kwabena Karikari declaring the results explained that per the results no candidate secured the 2/3 votes of the house, which is 33 votes, to qualify to become PM for Mampong. He further said consequently, the two candidates were automatically disqualified to stand again and contest as PM when fresh nomination opens.
The Municipal Coordinating Director (MCD), Mr. Mohammed Mumuni, who presided over this special meeting adjourned it indefinitely.
Present at the meeting were Mampong Municipal Police Commander, ASP Mr. Kofi Adzogble, the Mampong Municipal Deputy Fire Commander, ADOII Mr. Frank Ampong, and Heads of Department and staff of the Mampong Municipal Assembly and the media.
By
EMMANUEL AKWASI WIAFE-BOATENG
(MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER)
