63 to contest 15 seats in Upper East

Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga SIXTY-THREE persons have filed nominations on the ticket of the various political partiesto contest in parliamentary electionsin the fifteen constituenciesin the Upper East Region. Statistics obtained from the Upper East Regional Office of the Electoral Commissionindicated that out of thetotal number of aspirants, 57 of them are males while the remaining six are females. The National Democratic Congress, (NDC), and the New Patriotic Party, (NPP), arecontestingin all the15 constituencies while the People National Convention, (PNC) have filed candidatesin 11 constituencies. The Progressive Peoples Party, (PPP) presented candidatesin 10 constituencies, while the Conventions Peoples Party made a showingin seven constituencies with the National Democratic Party, (NDP), filing candidatesin three constituencies. Twoindependent candidates filedin two constituenciesto contest in the race.In the Fumbisi constituency, four persons filedto contest the seat. They are Roger Abolimbisa Akantagriwen for the NDC, Paulina Morton-Bruce for the NPP, Alhassan Azong, theincumbent MP, for the PNC and Mr. Daniel Kunde who iscontesting on the ticket of the CPP. Three persons arein the race for the Sandema Constituency. They are NDC’s James Agalga, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisah Chigabatia, former Deputy Minister and former MP on the ticket of the NPP, and Mr. Francis Agilinko, a 36 year old teacher for the PNC. The Navrongo Central Constituency will witness a three-man race with the aspirants being, the current Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo for the NDC, Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda on the ticket of the NPP and Mr. Crispin Avanakwa Awupuri, a 40 year old teacher who iscontesting on the ticket of the PPP. Five people are vying for the Chiana/Paga seat. Mr. Abuga Pele, Executive Director of the National Youth Employment Programme of the NDC will be seekingto unseat, NPP’s Leo Kabah Alowe. Alsoin teh race are Mr. Muniru Aloah Adoa of the PPP, Journalist Francis Niagra Santuah on the ticket of PNC and Desmond Ayirevire for the CPP.In the newly created Bolgatanga East Constituency, the race for the seat is between NDC’s Mr. Dominic Ayine, a law lecturer, NPP’s Rockson Ayine Bukari, a former Municipal Chief Executive for the Bolgatanga and PNC’s David Apasera, a former MP for the Bolgatanga Central constituency as well as PPP’s Baba Starling. Mr. Emmanuel Opam-Brown Akolbire, NDC MP for Bolgatanga Central Constituency will face stiff challenge from NPP’s Dr. Gyesika A. Agambila, PPP’s Robert Anamolga, PNC’s Rockson Akugre and NDP’s Saeed Jafar Mohammed. The race for the Bongo Seat is between theincumbent MP, Albert Abongo for the NDC and four others, namely, Madam Diana Aburiya Asuure of the NPP, Mr. Jacob Nsoh of the PNC Peter Ayamga Akugre of the CPP and anindependent candidate Mr. Clement Ayorigo. Five terms MP for Talensi, Mr. John Akologu Tia of the NDC will face NPP’s Robert Nachinab Doaneng, Ramson Yinbil Babihitzaaya of the CPP, Dr. Micheal Wombeogo, PNC and Dominic Mogre, PPP.In the Nabdam constituency, another veteran parliamentarian, Mr. Moses Asaga of the NDC will becontested once again by former Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Boniface Gambila of the NPP. Othersin the race are Gabilemm Ditamina, PPP, David Kurug, PNC and William Atampugre, CPP. Majority Leaderin Parliament and NDC MP for the Zebilla Constituency, Mr. Cletus Apul Avoka will becontested by Mr. Frank Fuseini Adongo, NPP, Atang Naba, NDP, and anindependent candidate, Mallam Ali Yusuf Isa. Five people are vying for the Bawku Central Constituency. They are Deputy Education Minister, Mr. Mahama Ayagira, NDC, Former Deputy Managing Director of Metro TV, Alhassan Ayariga, NPP, Businessman Iddrisu Mubarak, PPP, Farmer Joseph Awini Auuga, PNC, and Teacher, Madam Zaliya Ibrahim the only female candidatein the constituency on the ticket of CPP.In the Binduri Constituency, the race for the seatin between Ben Noah Azure, NDC, Stephen M.D. Yakubu, theincumbent NPP MP, William Ayinga Abanga, PPP and Cyprian Azure Ayendago, PNC. For the Pusiga Constituency, the race is between Madam Laadi Ayii Ayamba, NDC, Imoro Sarko, NPP, and William Abako Abosa, PPP.Incumbent MP for Garu constituency, Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah of the NDC will becontested by former Regional Minister, Alhassan Samari, NPP, Dominic Ligadya Dinko, CPP and Seidu James Achel of the NDP.In the newly created Tempane, fourcontestants arein race for the sole ticketto represent the peoplein parliament. They are immediate past DCE for Garu-Tempane, David Adakurugu, NDC, Mr. Joseph Akudibillah, NPP, Samson Kangben Laar, PPP and Madam Akugri Laadi for the PNC.