Voting is underway in the Northern and North East Regions as delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) elect new regional executives to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years.
In the Northern Region, a total of 613 delegates are expected to cast their votes, with 51 aspirants contesting 15 positions at the election being held at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
In the North East Region, 226 delegates are expected to vote, with 50 aspirants contesting various executive positions.
The delegates comprise constituency executives, former and sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) members and former members of the Council of Elders.
Voting in the Northern Region started at 10:35 a.m., later than scheduled, due to the late arrival of some delegates at the voting centres.
Electoral arrangements
In an interview with Graphic Online, the Northern Regional Director of Elections and Information Technology of the NDC, Dr Arnold Mashoud Abukari, said all positions were being contested, except that of the Regional Communication Officer.
He said the election committee had engaged all aspirants on the electoral procedures and protocols ahead of the exercise, expressing confidence that the process would be peaceful and transparent.
He said the committee was targeting to complete voting, sorting and counting by 2 p.m. or shortly afterwards.
Dr Abukari gave an assurance that the committee would ensure a free, fair, credible and transparent election to produce a new crop of regional executives.
More seats
For his part, the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, said the election was important to the party's efforts to strengthen its political base and win more parliamentary seats in the region.
He said during his tenure as the party's regional chairman, the NDC had increased its parliamentary representation in the region and expressed the hope that the incoming executives would build on that progress.
He said all the aspirants had the capacity to perform effectively in their respective positions, adding that he had worked with some of them and was familiar with their capabilities.
Mr John assured delegates and their supporters of adequate security during the exercise and urged security personnel to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of everyone within and around the voting premises.
The North East Regional Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Abdul Rauf Tanko Ibrahim, also admonished delegates and aspirants to remain calm and conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process.
