A total of 36,626 delegates are expected to cast their ballots in the Ashanti Region as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) goes to the polls on Saturday, January 31, in a crucial flagbearer election, representing 17.29 per cent of the 211,849 delegates eligible to vote nationwide.
The Ashanti Region is the second-largest voting bloc in the NPP flagbearer race, coming after the Greater Accra Region, and is expected to play a critical role in shaping the outcome of the contest.
Voting will take place at 47 designated centres across the region, with polling scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. and close at 2:00 p.m.
The flagbearer contest is being contested by former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong; former Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum and former General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
In interviews with the DAILY GUIDE, some NPP delegates described the race as keenly contested, noting that the region’s sizeable delegate strength has made it a focal point of campaign activities. Delegates said issues such as party unity, leadership credibility and the ability of aspirants to lead the NPP into the next general election would largely influence their choices.
Campaign messages from the aspirants have focused on rebuilding the party’s grassroots base, strengthening internal cohesion, mobilising the youth and restoring the party’s electoral fortunes.
Party officials say elaborate arrangements have been put in place to ensure a free, fair and transparent process, including the deployment of trained electoral officers, accredited observers and adequate security at all polling centres.
The Ashanti Regional leadership of the NPP has appealed to delegates to conduct themselves peacefully and in accordance with party rules before, during and after the election, stressing the need for unity after the polls.
Given its numerical strength and traditional influence in NPP internal elections, results from the Ashanti Region are expected to significantly influence the overall outcome of the party’s flagbearer race.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi