The Electoral Commission has confirmed six individuals have successfully filed to contest the upcoming polls to elect a representative of the northern region into the Council of State.The election scheduled to come on Friday February 12, 2020.
Former Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Ghana, Mr. Alhassan Andani and the immediate former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu constituency, Mr. Ras Mubarak are the known personalities among the candidates.
According to information gathered by THE CUSTODIAN, the representative of the northern region in the dissolved Council of State, Mr. Yakubu S. Nantogmah did not file to seek re-election.
Northern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr. Lucas Yiryil disclosed that the following people; Abdul Rashid Mohammed, Col (Rtd) Mahamud Tahiru, Abubakari Sadiq, Ras Mubarak, Andani Alhassan and Mahamud Alhassan filed to contest the election at the closed of nomination, 4 February, 2021.
Mr. Yiryil noted details of the candidates have been submitted for printing of notice of poll the ballot papers and they (candidates) will be informed on their positions on the ballot.
The EC Director said two assembly members from each of the 15 metropolitan, municipal and district administrative assemblies will constitute the Electoral College.
He has therefore advised the candidates to cooperate with the EC to organize a successful election.
“I can say the delegates are literates and very honorable members in the society and we hope that they will cooperate with the electoral commission as well as the candidates to have a peaceful election on 12 February. The election will take place at the residence of the regional coordinating council and because of the COVID-19, we will advise the general public to limit the number of people who will come there” he added.
Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo had earlier appointed some individuals to the Council of State for his second term in accordance with Article 89(2) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
The list comprised: Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, former Anglican Archbishop of the Province of West Africa, Archbishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Private Legal Practitioner Sam Okudzeto and a former Mayor of Accra, Mr. Stanley Blankson.
The rest are: Prof Ato Essuman, Alhaji Aminu Amadu, former member of the Council, Dr Margaret Amoakohene, Mrs. Georgina Kusi, Mrs. Alberta Cudjoe, Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI and Alhaji Sule Yiremiah.
President Akufo-Addo, subject to consultation with Parliament, also appointed former Chief Justice, Georgina Thoedora Wood, a former Chief of Defense Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lt Gen. J.B. Danquah and a former Inspector General of Police, Nana Owusu Nsiah into the council in accordance with Article 89(2)(a)(i)(ii) and (iii).
President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II will be an ex-officio member of the Council, in line with Article 89(2)(b).
