NPP Polls: Western Region NPP goes to poll to elect new executives today

Five hundred and fourteen delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western Region are to elect executive officers to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years.

The party's Regional delegates' conference is taking place at University of Mines of Technology's (UMaT's) George Grant auditorium in Tarkwa of the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency.

The NPP won sixteen (16) seats out of twenty-six seats in the Western Region in 2016 parliamentary elections.

A total of 43 candidates are battling for 10 executive positions in the Region.

The elections which begin today, Saturday April 21 2018, will see a sum of 514 voters comprising of 442 delegates (Constituency Executives), 16 Members of Parliament, 16 Regional Executives, 10 Patrons, 10 Council of Elders, 17 TESCON Executive Members, 2 National Council of Elders and 1 Founding Member, partaking in the election of 10 officials in the following positions; Chairman, 1st Vice Chair, 2nd Vice Chair, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Organiser, Youth Organiser, Treasurer, Women Organiser, and Nasara Coordinator.

The party goes into this crucial election with 26 Constituencies.
Some political pundits have predicted a landslide victory for the incumbent 1st Vice Regional Chairman, Mr. Francis Ndede Siah who acted as the Regional Chairman prior to the 2016 general elections.

Mr. Ndede Siah is expected to battle with Mr. Ben Armah, Nana Owusu Ankomah and Mr. Frank Etti popularly known as Frankatt after the incumbent chairman, Mr. Dickson Atta Nkettia failed to seek re-election.

Speaking to GhanaWeb's Western Region Correspondent, the Chairperson of the Election Committee who is also the Acting National Women's Organiser, Hajia Saudata Saeed said the delegates' Conference will begin at 9:00am, making enough time for the Regional Chairman, Mr Dickson to address the delegates and party faithful.

She added that the registration of delegates would be followed, with voting following afterward.

She noted that accreditation will be given to all delegates after registration hence any other person without accreditation will not be allowed to enter the auditorium.

The Acting National Women's Organiser revealed that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure an incident-free election.
She added that the security at the venue would be such that nobody can get the chance to misbehave and disrupt the polls.

She also revealed that the media would be issued with accreditation to prevent them from any embarrassment.

She said the party would need all members on board during the 2020 general elections, therefore any attempt by any individual or group to undermine each other during the process of the regional elections could end up jeopardizing the bond existing among members.

She also appealed to all party supporters to comport themselves during and after the polls.

"We NPP are law-abiding people and I expect everybody to comport himself or herself ", she added.

She advised the party members to exude unity.

"Unity is very important in the party and so all aspirants must endeavour to champion that in the collective interest of all members.

In fact we need each other after the elections; that is why we must not create anxiety and animosity. We are together when we are united. Let us be peaceful", she advised.

Find below the breakdown of the 10 positions being contested for;

1. Chairmanship position with 4 candidates

2. First Vice Chairman position with 5 candidates

3. Second Vice Chairman position with 6 candidates

4. Secretary position with 3 candidates

5. Assistant Secretary position with 3 candidates

6. Treasure position with 4 candidates

7. Organiser position with 5 candidates

8. Women's Organiser position with 3 candidates

9. Youth Organiser position with 4 candidates

10. Nasara Coordinator position with 6 candidates.