NPP parliamentary primaries in smooth start in Ashanti

Kumasi, April 30, GNA - Voting in the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) parliamentary primaries took off smoothly in the Ashanti Region on Saturday, with no reported incident of violence in any of the constituencies. A total of 95 candidates are contesting the election in 37 constituencies. Asante-Bekwai and Bosome-Freho are the only places where there was no voting.

In Subin, Suame, Tafo-Pankrono, Adansi-Akrofoum, Adansi-Asokwa, Offinso-North and South, delegates are expected to approve of their candidates by popular acclamation because they have no opponents.

Visits to some of the polling centres by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) showed a relaxed atmosphere, as voters calmly waited for their turn to cast their ballot.

Security was particularly tight at the Bethel Methodist polling centre= for the Kwadaso Constituency, which to many, is seen as a flashpoint. The battle here is between Dr Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, the incumbent and Ms Josephine Hilda-Addo, former Member of Parliament (MP).

At Nhyiaeso, there was initial confusion over whether to tick or thumbprint the ballot paper but good reason finally prevailed to allow voting to continue.

In Ejisu-Juaben, 833 delegates who gathered at the Wood Industry Training Centre (WITC) at Akyawkrom to pick from the three contestants were seen in joyous mood. The situation was not different at the Asankare Methodist JHS, where t= he Asante-Akim South Parliamentary Primary is being held. Some of the delegates who spoke to the GNA expressed confidence in having a successful poll, adding that, they were in no doubt that the NPP would come out stronger and more united.

The election is being supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC) and is expected to close by 1400 hours.