.JPG) |
| E.C Officials collating the ballots |
Despite predictions that Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten one of the seven flagbearer aspirants of the NPP might pull a surprise in the Volta region at the party’s super delegate congress on Sunday, because of the relatively massive support he enjoys in the region, the poll ended with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo sweeping majority votes.
He polled 28 votes, as against Allan’s 14 votes from a total of 51 votes cast, with Joe Ghartey, Asamoah Boateng and Addai Nimo polling one vote each; whiles Dr. Konadu Apraku and Kofi Osei Ameyaw secured 2 and 4 votes respectively.
Mr. Anthony Oppong deputy Volta regional director of the Electoral Commission, who presided over the elections said, in all, 56 delegates were expected to cast their votes but due a court injunction placed on the executives of both the Ho central and South Tongu constituencies prevented their chairmen from participating in the exercise, while two other delegates have also transferred their votes to Accra, with one absentee delegate.
Voting which started around 9:17am ended by midday, leaving delegates and party supporters to anxiously await the outcome of the polls, which was finally announced by the E.C officials at the stipulated 3:00pm. The announcement of results sent majority of the delegates into wild jubilation, though they claim it was expected.
 |
| Ken Anku |
The process which started peacefully at the Ho catholic Secretariat was nearly marred midway, when a misunderstanding ensued between a former Parliamentary candidate for North Dayi and an agent of Alan Kyeremanten, Ken Anku and the regional Chairman, John Peter Amewu.
The regional chairman was granting a request by journalists to pose for a photo shot by the ballot box after casting his vote, a move which did not go down well with Mr. Anku who angrily shouted at the chairman to leave the voting area.
This led to a verbal confrontation between the two personalities, with Mr. Anku referring to Mr. Amewu as a ‘traitor’, who also in turn fired back with ‘you are stupid’. The encounter then degenerated into one insult after the other until some delegates intervened to calm nerves, prevent the verbal fight between the two gentlemen from getting into fisticuffs.
Asabee’s Customised Rice Packs
Delegates at the congress were served with jollof rice and fried fish, by agents of Asamoah Boateng.
The food packs which were branded in NPP colours with the picture of the Asamoah Boateng embossed on them, had the inscription ‘Vote Asamoah Boateng, Number two (2).’ It also had a replica of the ballot paper indicating his position on the ballot paper.
The gesture was however not enough to secure him enough votes as he only ended up with a single vote at the end of voting.
Useless Exercise
Mr. Kenwood Nuworsu, the former regional of the party, after casting his ballot said, the special voting exercise was useless and a waste of time and party resources. According to him, the party should go on directly with the national delegate congress using the expanded the Electoral College.
About 14 police personnel provided security at throughout the congress, which was generally peaceful, despite the earlier confrontation.
