By Simon Agbovi
Kasoa (C/R), April 22, GNA – Some Assembly Members of the Awutu Senya East Municipality have threatened to go to court over what they described as “mafia tactics” in the confirmation of the President’s nominee as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).
The nominee, Mr Seth Sabah Serwornoo-Banini, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority of 13 of the total 19 votes cast in the first round of voting to qualify as MCE for the area, obtaining 10 ‘Yes’ votes and 9 ‘No’ votes.
The second round of voting, which was shielded from the media, witnessed the snatching and tearing of ballot papers in the full glare of the Police.
In the second round, the nominee secured 11 ‘Yes’ votes and four ‘No’ votes, making a total of 15 votes.
Addressing the press on behalf of the aggrieved members, Mr Shadrack Boakye Yiadom, Assembly Member for the American Town Electoral Area, said the group was prepared to go to court.
According to him, members were threatened amidst the “illegal” confirmation of the nominee.
“It was pathetic that before counting could begin, one Fahd snatched and tore the ballot papers, yet they went ahead to declare the nominee as MCE.
“But I want to state clearly to the whole world that Awutu Senya East Municipality has no MCE—we will go to court,” he stated.
“What transpired today is an affront to our democracy,” Mr Yiadom added.
Prior to the counting, the judge assigned to swear in the nominee walked out with others, saying, “Our hands are clean.”
In his acceptance speech, the newly confirmed MCE, Mr Serwornoo-Banini, said; “Indeed it is a day that we will commence the forward movement of Awutu Senya East in the central region.”
“This day we will see a different level of development, it is a day that will see the rebranding of the district, a day to give voice to the voiceless and a day that is going to make sure the history of Kasoa, is rewritten again.”
He pledged to fully implement the President’s development agenda to advance the municipality.
The Central Regional Chairman of the NDC, Prof Richard Asiedu, assured of the party’s utmost support to ensure the development of the area.
He added that the earlier scuffle was the result of politicisation by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) camp, but an agreement was reached to allow the process to conclude peacefully, he added.
GNA
AT/LAA