About 450 delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Manhyia North Constituency in the Ashanti Region have gone to polls to elect a parliamentary candidate for the 2016 elections.

The primary has been rocked with a number of delays over the eligibility of the constituency’s register.

After polling station elections were held in June, a committee was set up to oversee Saturday’s primary.

Three candidates including incumbent Member of Parliament Collins Owusu Amankwaah are contesting the primary.

Speaking to TV3’s William Evans Nkum on Saturday, July 2, a member of the committee, Daniel Osei Agyenim, said four polling stations have been excluded from the election as they could not elect executives before Saturday’s exercise.

Mr Agyenim, who is also Deputy Organiser for NPP in the Ashanti Region, said the exclusion of the four polling stations does not flout the party’s constitution as the rest constitute more than 90 per cent of the total number.

He expressed hope that a candidate for the NPP will be elected from Mr Amankwaah, Frank Osei Bamfo and Kwaku Konadu to end all the acrimony that has rocked the constituency.

‘Empirical evidence’

Stephen Amoah, the regional organiser for the party, told TV3‘s correspondent that Saturday’s exercise is empirical evidence of the efforts that have been invested into recording absolute peace in the constituency.

He said all stakeholders have been cautioned to ensure that the exercise is carried out peacefully.

“We have tried hard to engage all of them,” he said about the three aspirants, adding that: “The report is that all are happy with what is happening.”

80% for NPP in Ashanti Region

He said the outcome and smooth running of the polls is evidence that the NPP will poll its targeted 80 per cent of the total votes in the Region.

Polls are scheduled to close at 3:00pm.

It will be followed by collation and declaration of results.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Twitter: @3Newsgh