The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western Region has held a balloting exercise for the upcoming parliamentary primaries.
The exercise allotted numbers to the contesting aspirants for them to commence their respective campaigns.
Scores of supporters of the various aspirants thronged the Western Region office of the ruling party to witness the balloting exercise.
Fourteen aspirants from seven constituencies participated in the exercise. Aspirants for Shama and Mpohor were present to witness the balloting.
However, aspirants from Amenfi East, Ahanta West, Kwesimentsim, Effia, and Takoradi sent representatives.
For Takoradi Constituency, Madam Edna Nyame, who was present, picked Number 2. The Western Region Minister, Kobby Othere Darko-Mensah, who is also the incumbent, despite absent, had Number 1 pikced for him by his representative.
For Effia, none of the two aspirants came. So, the executives of the party were given the chance to pick for them. Incumbent Jospeh Cudjoe picked Number One and Dr. Adjoa Kwegyireba Aggrey picked Number Two.
For Shama, which had both aspirants present, Ato Panford, the incumbent, picked Number One and Samuel Erickson Abekah picked Number Two.
Mpohor also had incumbent Alex Agyekum picking Number One and John Kobina Abban Aboah Sanie getting Number Two.
For Ahanta West, incumbent Ebenezer Kojo Kum also had Number One and Kwesi Biney had Number Two.
Same outcome played out for Kwesimentim as the incumbent, Joseph Mensah, had Number One and Dr. Prince Armah had Number 2.
In Amenfi East, Edward Amo Acquah had Number One and Patrick Saime had Number Two.
Before the balloting, there had been two different list of aspirants for the region. The first was announced by the Western Region chairman, Francis Ndede Siah, before that from the Vetting Committee Chairman, FF Anto.
In an interview with 3news.com after the balloting, Mr Ndede Siah said the exercise went on successfully without any challenges.
His list also turned out to be authentic.
“This is the final list. If you look at this list it says revised list. You recall I had an interview with you and I mentioned some names and after there was a whole lot of things after but if you look at this list, it is the same one that I called out to you earlier.”
Mr Ndede Siah indicated there are still some petitions from three constituencies but he insisted the region cannot wait.
He, however, said the necessary changes will be effected depending on the decision that the Election Appeals Committee will take on the current petitions before it.
“Yes, there are some petitions making rounds. For us here in the region, we have dealt with all petitions that came before us. So, for us we are not dealing with any petition here in the region. We know there are petitions from Jomoro, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Effia and Takoradi. But those are being dealt with in Accra and I hear those petitions are being looked into.”
By Eric Yaw Adjei|3news.com|Ghana