The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly has elected Hon Abubakari Issah as the new Presiding Member (PM) to stir affairs of the assembly after three previous unsuccessful attempts.
In the first elections organized Tuesday morning, October 18, 2022, two candidates – Abubakari Issah, assemblyman for Bilpela electoral area contested the embattled incumbent Mohammed Alhassan Yogudoo.
At the end of the polls, Abubakari Issah had 41 votes out of a total of 59 and Sulemana Alhassan polled 16 votes. The outcome meant both candidates could not meet the required 42 votes or two thirds of the total votes cast.
As a result of the deadlock, senior members of the assembly and some prominent personalities in Tamale had to immediately go into a closed door meeting to build consensus and the way out. After hours of persuasion and deliberations, the Electoral Commission organized another election between the two candidates – the second of the day and the fourth attempt in all.
This time round, out of a total vote of 46, Abubakari Issah polled 45 votes representing 75% and Sulemana Alhassan had zero with one rejected ballot.
In his remarks, the newly elected Presiding Member called for unity among the assembly members and promised to operate an open door and all-inclusive policy.
He further advised the assembly members to bury their difference for the business of the metropolis to thrive.
