The NDC Member of Parliament for Atebubu-Amantin constituency in the Brong-Ahafo Region, Emmanuel Owusu-Manu has backed down on earlier threats to run as an independent candidate in the December elections. Mr. Owusu-Mainu’s decision to retreat from an earlier stance, reportedly came about after a delegation of the party, led by regional executives, met him in Sunyani over the weekend, over issues that arose out of the controversial parliamentary primaries in the area. Mr. Owusu-Mainu lost the primaries conducted at Beposo on 28th January, 2012, to the District Chief Executive, Sanja Nanja by 19 votes. The incumbent MP contested the outcome of the polls, citing flaws in the manner in which the official from the Electoral Commission Daniel Kwatia presided over the primaries, stating that the total number of valid votes exceeded the number of registered delegates. The MP claimed Mr. Kwatia announced publicly to delegates and observers that he (Kwatia) printed 600 ballot papers but declared only 9 as remaining after voting, instead of 68 since 532 votes were cast, even though 531 Delegates were supposed to have voted on the day. The NDC regional executives in Brong-Ahafo reportedly cancelled the results of the primaries and supported the MP's call for re-run. But his petition for the party leadership in Accra to investigate the issue and re-organise the primaries, did not yield the anticipated results, prompting him to take the matter up to the courts in Sunyani. The Sunyani High Court on 29th March, 2012, declared the said primaries null and void and ordered that no one should hold himself as the NDC’s elected parliamentary candidate for the area until fresh elections were organized. However, the party leadership said the ruling in question could not be binding on the party because it was the Electoral Commission that took the complainant to court and not the party. The decision by the NDC leadership prompted some delegates and candidates who took part in the primaries to declare their preparedness to lend support, should the MP make his mind to run as an independent candidate on December 7th, blaming the leadership of the party of failing to tackle the issues that emanated from the primaries. Myjoyonline.com learnt that Mr. Owusu-Mainu indicated to the delegation his decision not to contest as an independent candidate, was in the supreme interest of the party. He said he had reached the decision in order that attacks being launched on his supporters will cease. He however indicated he will not be available to campaign for Mr. Sanja Nanja and called on those who declared support for him (Owusu-Mainu), to stay calm.