Lambussie district assembly fails to elect presiding member after two rounds of voting

The Lambussie District Assembly has failed to elect a Presiding Member (PM) after two rounds of voting to steer affairs during Assembly meetings.

The exercise formed part of the statutory process to elect a presiding member to chair the Assembly sittings, maintain order during deliberations, and support effective decision-making for a two-year term.

The two contestants were Mr Abubakari Abdul Moomin, the incumbent presiding member and Mr Zimi Kanintii Paul, the Assemblyman for Suke electoral area.

Both candidates presented their vision for unity, development, and transparency to the Assembly before voting commenced.

In the first round, Mr Paul obtained 18 votes while Mr Moomin polled 16 votes, with one rejected ballot.

With no candidate reaching the required two-thirds majority, the process proceeded to a second ballot in line with electoral procedures.

At the second round, Mr Paul maintained his 18 votes while Mr Moomin increased his tally to 17 votes.

In accordance with Section 27 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), a Presiding Member must be elected by at least two-thirds of the Assembly members.

With the Lambussie District Assembly comprising 35 members, a candidate requires a minimum of 25 votes to be declared successful.

Mr Naawulle Ireneous Basingbie, the Lambussie District Chief Executive (DCE) in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the election expressed disappointment at the Assembly’s inability to elect a presiding member to chair the affairs of the district.

He said, “I am very disappointed that we have not been able to elect presiding member today”.

Mr Basingbie warned that the delay could stall the district's development agenda and appealed to Assembly members to set aside their differences and prioritise the interest of the district and the communities they serve.

“I have strong conviction that in the next ten days, we will be able to elect a Presiding Member,” he said.

He, therefore, expressed optimism that a consensus would be built during the next sitting.

Some Assembly members who GNA engaged also expressed concern about the unsuccessful exercise.

In an interview with some residents who witnessed the event outcome expressed worry, saying, “It would delay the district's development agenda."

The upcoming round is expected to offer members another opportunity to build consensus and elect a presiding member to lead the assembly for the next two years.

GNA