Four National Democratic Congress (NDC) incumbent Members of Parliament in the Upper East Region have been voted out in the parliamentary primaries held on Saturday (13 May).
The four are: Navrongo central MP; Sampson Tangombu Chiragia, Thomas Dalu; MP for Chiana-Paga, Edward Bawa; MP for Bongo and Albert Akuka Alalzuuga; MP for Garu.
The MPs, per certified voting results, failed to poll required majority votes from NDC delegates to become parliamentary candidates.
In the Navrongo central constituency, new entrant Simon Akibange Aworigo polled 475 votes from delegates to beat incumbent Sampson Tangombu Chiragia who scored 447 votes. His victory sent shocking waves across the constituency as he was seen as the least favourite.
Similarly, youngster Nikyema Alamzy who has contested the primaries before, garnered 488 votes to unseat the incumbent Thomas Dalu who took home 300 votes. Lawyer Raphael Alijina placed third with 239 votes.
In the Garu constituency, the incumbent Albert Akuka Alalzuuga who got 160 votes, was beaten by Thomas Anaba who had 250 votes.
The story in the Bongo constituency was not different as the incumbent Member of Parliament for Bongo, Edward Bawa suffered a defeat. He was beaten by Charles Bawaduah who scored 535 votes. Edward Bawa managed to poll 509 votes.
In the Talensi and Zebilla constituencies where the contests were also keen, Mahama Daniel Dung and Ebenezer Alumire Ndebila scored 250 and 450 votes respectively to become parliamentary candidates for their constituencies.
In the Nabdam, Builsa North, Bolgatanga-East and Pusiga constituencies, incumbent MPs Mark Kurt Nawaani, James Agalga, Dominic Akurintinga Ayine and Ayamba Laadi Ayii bagged 303; 547; 292; 432 respectively to retain their bids.
The Bawku central Member of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga also retained his bid as he polled 863 votes to beat his contender Jibreel Saad who scored 283 votes.
In the Upper East Region, three incumbent MPs went unopposed. The three are; Bolgatanga central MP; Isaac Adongo, Builsa South MP; Clement Apaak and the MP for Tempane; Lydia Adakurugu.
In the presidential slot, former President John Dramani Mahama swept over 95% of the votes, leaving very little for contenders Kojo Bonsu and Kwabena Duffour who made a last minute withdrawal from the contest. John Dramani Mahama won in all the 15 constituencies of the Upper East Region.
The voting in the polling centres in most of the constituencies was generally smooth and peaceful. There were, however, issues of late arrival of electoral materials recorded in some constituencies.
Two persons in the Bongo and Navrongo central constituencies were arrested for some electoral malpractices but were later released.
Senyalah Castro
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