Violence erupted at the Savelugu-Nanton District Assembly Tuesday when the assembly members failed for the fifth consecutive time to approve the nomination of a candidate for District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area. Apparently enraged by the failure of the assembly members to come to a consensus to choose a DCE for the area, some youth attempted venting their anger on some of the assembly members but were prevented by the police. However, matters became worse when the youth rushed on the police and pelted them with stones to make up for the lashings they had received from them. They also smashed the windscreens of some vehicles and took away the refreshment and food items brought for the occasion, in an attempt to deprive the assembly members of refreshment. In the process, two police men got injured; one on the forehead and the other on the left-cheek. The police reacted by firing warning shots and tear gas to subdue the angry mob. Meanwhile, the current nominee, Prince Askia Mohammed, secured 28 votes out of the 51 assembly members who were present to cast their votes. It represents 55 per cent, less than one-third of the total votes. Mr Mohammed who hails from but also traces his lineage to other parts of the district was the third person to be nominated for the post of DCE for Savelugu after the first two nominees failed to secure the approval of the assembly. The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, who was present to monitor the election, appealed to the assembly members and the residents to exercise restraint, and to use dialogue to reach a consensus. He said the beauty of democracy was that it allowed various views and interests to interplay, which is consequently harmonised for the purpose of development. Source: Daily Graphic