1,341 delegates to vote in NDC Tema East Primary

The Tema East Constituency of the National Democratic Congress' presidential and parliamentary primaries are underway at the St. Peters Catholic School in Tema Newtown, with 1,341 delegates anticipated to vote.

Before the voting process began at 0900 hours, ballot boxes were inspected and sealed at the two polling centres.

The Ghana News Agency gathered that three candidates are running for the parliamentary seat.

They are Isaac Ashai Odamtten, Michael Nii Abbey, and Edward Nii Kraku.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Candidates voice shortfalls but hopeful of a smooth process

The three aspirants in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries at Shai-Osudoku have voiced out shortfalls before to the primaries.

David Tetteh Assumeng, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo and Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte all in an interview with the GNA pinpointed poor organisation of the polls and the sudden change of venue from Word of Grace International School in Dodowa to Doryumu Basic Primary School in Doryumu.

'It is just unfortunate that the the initial agreement as to where to converge has been an issue of hullabaloo where people were swayed from one venue to the other. We knew that the functional executive committee decided that the voting centre should be Doryumu Basic Primary. ' Mr Asumeng said.

Mr. Assumeng said the executives of the Party, particularly the chairman should have 'known better' and stuck to the Party protocols and directions.

'I can't fathom why the Constituency Chairman, the organiser and other other collegues were swaying people here and there as to where to hold it until the the last minutes before they came to this place. So the initial preparation has been very unfortunate,' he said.

Linda Obenawaa Akweley Ocloo on he other hand said as at Friday, May 12, she waited at the party office for a copy of the register in order to look through to ascertain whether it actually contained the list of party delegates, as she claimed the 'party secretary was working for the opponent'.

She disclosed in an interview that she dropped this move because she did not want to 'disrupt the electoral process'.

Dr Michael Kpessa-Whyte also shared similar sentiments expressed by his fellow contestants which he attributed to the 'lack of respect for party structures' from individuals, he says, are at the higher level positions within the party.

Dr. Kpessa-Whyte however hinted how the issue had been resolved to make way for a smooth electioneering process.

He was optimistic that corrections would be made from the mistakes and discrepancies and more efforts channeled to improve it. '…lessons have been learnt and I believe it will guide the future,' he said.

Despite their criticism of parts of the preparation process, they were all satisfied with the ongoing process and. optimistic that voter turnout will be high and the polls would run smoothly devoid of any trouble.

'I expect that every delegate would have an opportunity to vote without any challenge or whatsoever,' he said.

All three candidates took their turns to cast their ballots.

The vote processing is ongoing without any record of violence or malpractice. Voting is expected to close at 4pm.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Voting underway in NDC Tema Central constituency

Delegates in the Tema Central Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) started voting at 09:00 hours.

Mr. Ibrahim Mahama Jajah, Regional Vice Chairman, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that 1,104 delegates from 119 branches are expected to cast their votes.

He explained that nine delegates from each branch, 28 constituency executives, and six former government appointees were expected to vote.

Mr Jajah added that three aspirants were to be voted for: Courage Makafui Nunekpek, Ebi Bright, and Carl Owuompesika.

He explained that two polling stations had been created to facilitate smooth voting and make the process very fast.

Police Supt. George Kwakye, the security officer in charge of Tema Central, revealed that the police were always ready to maintain law and order in accordance with the electoral laws and any other laws.

He noted that motorbikes and other vehicles were expected to park 200 meters away from the polling station.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Voting underway in three constituencies in STMA

The parliamentary and presidential primaries for the National Democratic Congress have taken off smoothly in three constituencies within the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan area.

The primaries though greeted with uncertainty due to the initial injunction placed by one of the Presidential hopefuls of the party has not affected any proceedings in terms of timing and logistical arrangements.

The officers in charge of Elections for the various constituencies and the district officers from the Electoral Commission of Ghana are helping to ensure smooth balloting.

Mr. Kirk Mensah, Regional Secretary of the party urged the delegates to maintain peace for a collective win of the party.

The various centres visited by the Ghana News Agency showed preparedness of delegates while, some party enthusiasts have gathered around to monitor the exercise.

The Essikado-Ketan constituency is voting at the Cultural Centre in Fijai, Takoradi on 31st December Women's Movement office and the Obiri office hosting the Kweminstsin constituency.

Close to 2, 400 delegates are expected to cast ballots to help elect candidates for the 2024 general elections.

The voting started at exactly nine 009000 hours in the areas visited, with enough security provided by the police.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hohoe NDC delegates call for peaceful primaries

Delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Hohoe Constituency have called for peaceful polls for a successful presidential and parliamentary primary.

They also called for unity at the end of the polls to rally support for the winner ahead of the 2024 general election.

Mr Prosper Kumi, the Constituency Secretary, urged delegates and candidates to comport themselves before, during and after the elections to portray the peaceful nature the party was noted for.

1,139 delegates are expected to cast their ballots in the constituency with six candidates competing for the parliamentary slot.

They are Theophilus Dzimega, a Legal Practitioner, Victor Herman-Condobrey, an Educationist, the 2020 NDC Campaign Manager, and former Hohoe MCE, and Mr Worlanyo Tsekpo, the NDC Bono Regional Youth Organiser.

The rest are Christine Afi Fiakpoe, a Private Legal Practitioner, Frank Ankutse, CEO of Ankies Construction Group, and Vera Yayra Yawa Hayibor, a PhD student at the University of Glasgow Law School, UK.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) has observed the presence of a number of police officers ensuring that delegates adhered to directives at the St Francis College of Education, Hohoe, where the elections are being held.

Meanwhile, voting began smoothly at 1028 hours with the police ensuring security through a 'no accreditation, no entry' policy.

Source: Ghana News Agency