The count down has ended, soon Saturday, April 21 is here and delegates of the New Patriotic Party from all the constituencies in the Upper East Region, will be casting their votes for their favourate aspirants to form the Regional Executive Committee.
Though the Region is divided into 15 Constituencies, for the purpose of Political activities, the Upper East is divided into three Zones, the Western, Central and Eastern. It is expected that not less than 300 delegates from these Zone will participate in this Regional Executive Election.
Unlike other regions where  aspirants can boldly stick out their neck to claim victory even before the end of the contest, none of the aspirants in the Upper East Region nor their supporters can confidently say for sure that, they are winning the positions even at the end of voting.
It is expected that, all other positions will see fierce contest, but the Regional Chairman and the Regional Organizer positions are two that have generated hot arguments at many of the New Patriotic Party gatherings.
For the Chairmanship, the incumbent Chairman, Mohammed Murtala Ibrahim, from the Western Zone will be praying that the Tempane, Garu, Pusiga, Bawku Central, Binduri and Bawku West Constituencies which form the Zone will back him as their own.
Alhaji Abdallah Otito Achuliwor, a retired Accountant, who is contesting for the position for the second time. He is from the Eastern Zone which is formed by Builsa North and South, Chiana-Paga and Navrongo Central.
A Youthful Private Legal Practitioner, Anthony Namoo and Filson Awankua, a Business-minded Engineer, as well as Joseph Agongo are from the Central Zone, which is formed by the Nabdam, Talensi, Bongo, Bolgatanga Central and East Constituencies.
There are Ethnic and political dynamics that will come to play and that is why no one can claim victory till the votes are cast and countered.
The Regional Organizer position is being contested by the incumbent Regional Organizer and Coordinator of NADMO, Jerry Asamani, who also comes from the Western Zone. Alhaji Issifu Mumuni, Charles Ndanbon Taleog, Agana Bawa Rashid and a former Regional Organizer, Yaw Mort are from the Central Zone, while Abasana Gregory is the only one from the Eastern Zone.
Even though all candidates have engaged in some level of glamourous campaigns in the constituencies, Charles Ndanbon Taleog seem to be more visible and loud than all others.
First Vice Chairmanship is being contested by incumbent, Osman M. Konkonaba, Hon. Anaba Isaac Hakeem, Alhaji Abubari S. Jamal, Moses K. Atinga, Jonathan Jambudu, Isaac Atasigi and Imoro Malik.
Second Vice being contested by Richard W. Alogitega, Bugri A. Ibrahim, Diana Aburiya Asuure, Paul K. Yin and Ahmed Shaibu Dabire.
Regional Secretary being contested by Nsor-Atindana Emmanuel, Roland Minyila, Abdul Karim Amandi, Amadu Mogtar Bagya, Cletus Anabire Innocent and Assam Passim Samuel.
Assistant Secretary being contested by Elvis Figo Atia Awonekai, Atamgibe Shakiru and Akamah Richard.
The Treasurer position is being contested by the incumbent, Edmund Bombande, Mboda Osman Karnamah, Daniel N. Ayine, Edmund Bombande, Joseph Awinpanga Akanfaba.
The Women’s Organizer position Margaret Akagwire, Janet Asumda, Ayamba Georgina, Florence Kurubila, Augustina Atanga and Faustina Agetara.
Youth Organizer position is being contested by Latif Solomon, Abubakari Atosaana Ayuba, Andrew Atariwini, Atiru Samuel Amangbedam, Abdul Rahman Fatawu and Lukman Abubakar Sorogho.
Nasara Coordinator is being contested by the incumbent, Alhaji Mohammed Siitah Abubakari, Baba Kamara, Salley Musah Delwinde, Ustaz Seidu Abass, Alhaji Mohammed Siitah Abubakari  and Ambali Awudu.
FROM: EBO BRUCE-QUANSAH, Bolgatanga