Dunkwa-on-Offin (C/R), June 04,GNA- Delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Central Region are preparing feverishly to elect officers to steer the affairs of the party in the next four years in an election characterized by uncertainties.
Considered a swing region, in which vote pattern had often determined the destinies of national presidential elections, the Central Region is among the “must watch” regions as the ruling NPP elects regional officers this weekend.
With about two years to election into 2024, the Region is critical for the NPP after the Party lost some 13 parliamentary seats in the 2020 elections.
Delegates began arriving from their respective constituencies as early as 18:00hrs on Friday and others spent the night at the venue jubilating.
Delegates began arriving from their respective constituencies as early as 6:00hrs to the Dunkwa Nursing and Midwifery Training Centre, venue for the event which has been washed with party colours and posters of all the aspirants including some National aspirants.
Meanwhile, supporters of the various candidates clad in their candidate’s branded T-Shirts, danced to brass band music amidst chanting of party songs and tailor-made songs for their candidates.
There is a heavy security presence including National Security operatives to ensure peaceful polls.
In all, 28 of the 30 applicants will the 10 positions after one was disqualified by the vetting committee and another stepped down a few days from the elections.
More than 454 delegates including 391 delegates from the 23 constituencies in the Region are to decide who would steer affairs of the ruling party in government for the next four years.
The number also include 20 Council of Elders, three National Council Representatives, 16 Tescon representatives, 14 Regional Officers, 10 Members of Parliaments.
Members of Parliament (MP), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCEs), party faithful, the security services among others have thronged the election grounds to support their candidates.
On Saturday morning as at 05:00 hours when GNA visited the venue, giant billboards were seen mounted while party supporters were busily pasting posters of their favorite contestants at every available space.
Mr John Mbroh, the Regional Elections and Research Officer said so far everything was on course.
“We expect that both delegates and aspirants would play to the rules and modalities set for a smooth election exercise,” he added.
On security, he indicated that the Committee had engaged the Regional Police command and were sure of deploying adequate police personnel to ensure safety for all.
He stated that they all belonged to one ‘bigger family’ whose fortunes should be put first against any individual interest and urged the candidates to accept the outcome of the elections.
He also urged them to throw their weight behind those who would emerge winners to form a formidable force ahead of the 2024 elections.
Mr Kojo Asemanyi, former MP for Gomes East told the GNA that the NPP was ahead of all the political parties in holding its delegates conference in the country and urged all and sundry to accommodate each other irrespective of the outcome of the election since it was the same elephant family.
He said the NPP had what it takes, the human resources and political prowess to win the 2024 elections.
Mr Asemanyi expressed the optimism that the NPP government would be retained in the 2024 elections for its demanding work and developmental agenda.