In the recently concluded constituency executive elections, six incumbent chairmen of the ruling New Patriotic Party lost their seats in the Upper West Region, while three others did not seek re-election.
The only two sitting chairman who kept their positions ran unopposed in the elections.
The NPP constituency executive elections were held without incident in all eleven Upper West Region seats, but with considerable security presence in the Sissala West and Wa Central constituencies in particular.
A total of 6,712 delegates participated in the voting process, with 308 people running for various posts in the region's 11 constituencies.
Only two of the eight incumbent chairmen who sought re-election managed to avoid loss, in what some interpreted as a verdict on the NPP's leadership in the region.
Ali Kamara, the current chairman of the Wa Central Constituency, was defeated by Osman Hamid, while Kuunifaa Kennedy defeated Alhaji Donkor to become the new chairman of the Lawra Constituency.
After beating the incumbents, Alhaji Sumaila and Felix Naa were elected chairman of Wa East and Dafiama-Busie-Issa, respectively.
In the Lambusie and Nadowli-Kaleo constituencies, the old chairman were defeated by Alhaji Karim Kasim and K O Yenge, respectively.
The incumbents in the Sissala East and Nandom constituencies, on the other hand, avoided defeat because they ran unopposed.
Seidu Bukari of Wa West, Justin Dakura of Jirapa, and Bukari Dramani of Sissala West did not run for re-election, allowing newcomers to enter the race.
The Sissala West Nasara Coordinator, who had been assaulted by thugs, remained in his hospital bed.
According to the Communication Officer, the only way for the NPP to keep or enhance its votes in the region is for the party's rank and file to put their differences aside and work together.
