NPP to organize mock polls

Sombo (U/W), Aug. 15, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will organize mock elections to demonstrate what its activists should do on polling day as part of its preparations towards recording a resounding victory in next year's general elections, Mr Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of the party, has said.

"The NPP has suffered under the NDC as far as rigging of elections are concerned and we cannot succeed without the positive involvement of party activists some of who allowed themselves to be influenced in many ways during past elections".

Mr Mac Manu was addressing the Nadowli West Constituency conference of the party at Sombo in the Nadowli District on Tuesday. The conference was organized to elect a parliamentary candidate for the constituency.

During the election Wing Commander Eric Dakurah (RTD), the District Chief Executive, beat Dr Daniel Bagah, Dean of the Wa campus of the University of Development Studies by 51 votes to 41 to become the parliamentary candidate.

He said the region, which used to be one of the strong holds of the Danquah/Busia tradition, has in recent times fallen to the NDC because the party members in the region were not working hard enough to attract people into the party.

"We want to take back the region but we cannot do that without your support and you must open up to welcome new comers into the party since we cannot win elections with only our core members". Mr Mac Manu also addressed the Wa Central Constituency Primary where Mr Clement Eledi, a Deputy Minster of Food and Agriculture, emerged as the parliamentary candidate after defeating Mr Abdullah Bin Salih, a teacher, by 81 votes to 37.

The third contestant, Mr Hardi Bawa who was absent, polled no vote. Alhaji Abubakari Abdul-Rahman, Regional Chairman of the party, called on party supporters to use the opportunity offered by the peaceful election of parliamentary candidates to forge ahead in unity. "We need the votes and input of every party member to enable us win the presidential and parliamentary elections in the region and nothing must be done to destroy this objective", he said.

Mr Mac Manu and his team of high profile party officials that included Nana Ohene Ntow, the General Secretary, organized an "operation 2008" strategic workshop for NPP functionaries in the region at Wa. The team also included, Mr Lord Commey, National Organizer and Miss Rita Asobayire, National Women's Organizer.