Political Pulse Picks Up In Buem

The political tempo emanating from the impending bye-election of the Buem Constituency in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region, is heating up following the burial and final funeral rites of the late Henry Ford Kamel, Buem Member of Parliament, and the Regional Minister, on Saturday. A total of five candidates from different political parties are contesting the seat declared vacant after the demise of the late MP on Christmas day. They are; Mr Daniel Kwasi Ashiamah, 43, marketer, contesting on the banner of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Ellis Akoto-Ade, 63, retired educationist, vying on the ticket of the Progressive People�s Party (PPP), Mr Adams Darko-Boateng, 29, teacher, standing for the People�s National Convention (PNC). Others are; Mr Nelson Bediako Asafo, 46, businessman, contesting on the ticket of the Convention People�s Party (CPP), and Alhaji Muniru, 38, teacher running for the National Vision Party (NVP). Apart from Mr Darko-Boateng and Mr Nelson Asafo, who participated in the December 7 and 8, 2012 General Election, the other three contestants are new entrants. Mr. Francis Asuka Boakye who stood on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is missing from the contest believed to hinge on the court case involving the three leading members of the NPP and the Electoral Commission (EC). The Buem Constituency with 84 polling stations has a registered voting population of 37,197, which would be the battle ground for the five contestants. Mr Mohammed Shani Abukari, Jasikan District Officer of EC, said apart from the ballot papers, all other election materials like ink pads, ballot boxes and screens were ready for the February 26 bye-election. He told the GNA that the District Office would receive the ballot papers on Monday and would distribute them in time for voting on Tuesday. Mr Abukari asked the voting public to turnout in larger numbers to exercise their franchise to elect a new MP for Buem.