NPP ballots positions for aspirants (page 14)

THE usual interpretations and meanings  given to the positions of candidates on ballot papers were not absent when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) balloted  the positions of candidates for the upcoming flagbearership race with Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng taking the top slot.
The process which was supervised by a representative of the Electoral Commission, Mr Amos Neequaye, had Mr Isaac Osei, the NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Subin and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom taking the second slot, Mr John Kwame Koduah, a Kumasi-based legal practitioner took the third place while the 2008 flagbearer rivals Mr Alan Kyerematen, and Nana Addo Dankwa, took the fourth and fifth positions respectively.
The balloting which  took two rounds was to determine the positions of the aspirants on the ballot paper and represented the final hurdle towards the election of the party’s flagbearer for the 2012 general elections.
The process which took place at the NPP Headquarters on Friday, was without the usual carnival of supporters drumming and dancing which characterised the event in the past.
Commenting on the position and chances of their respective  candidates, Nana Prempeh who represented Mr Konduah told the Daily Graphic that the third position was an indication that the Holy Spirit was with his candidate.
“Number three represent the Trinity which is God the Father, the Son and the Holy spirit. With the trinity on our side, there is no way we are going to loose. Victory is ours.” Mr Prempeh stressed.
The representative of Nana Addo, Mr Victor Newman, stated that numbers or positions may not necessary determine the outcome of the race because the  majority of the delegates were literate who could easily identify the names and pictures of the candidates.
He, however, indicated that the fifth position was a strategic one because “ the ‘asieho’ slogan which worked for the party in the 2000 elections is on our side. We are well placed to be assured of victory.” He stated.
Sounding superstitious, Mr  Ken Amankwah, the representative of the Mr Isaac Osei stated that the fact that in the first round of the balloting, he picked number 5 but swapped the position with Nana Addo in the second round meant that Mr Osei would come tops after the congress to represent the party in the 2012 election.
Representing Mr Alan Kyerematen was Mr Yaw Buaben Asamoa who  said Mr Kyerematen would lead the party in the next election saying “we believe that it is God who makes leaders, whatever position we have on the ballot paper, we would maximise it to become victorious.”
Prof Frimpong-Boateng’s representative for his part said his candidates position on the ballot paper was an indication that victory was assured.
According to him, Prof Frimpong-Boateng had always been the first among the best as such he would carry the day with the first slot on the ballot paper.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NPP, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, urged the candidates not to rush to the media with their problems as “the party office was open to all of you to settle our differences. At the end of it all, we want the world to know that the NPP is the most democratic party on the continent if not in the world.”
He also advised the different camps to watch their utterances saying “ even though some comments might be meant as a joke, we are in a humourless time and everything must be done for the unity of the party.
He said everything had been done to ensure that the election of the party’s flagbearer was done in a fair and  transparent manner.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the General Secretary of the Party, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie said the balloting was necessary to ensure fairness in the placement of candidates on the ballot.
“We do not want a situation where any of the candidates who blame the national executive for placing him at a disadvantage on the ballot paper.”
He said the absence of the party supporters during the event was to give the party adequate representation at the on-going voter’s registration exercise.
He expressed satisfaction with the process adding that all was set for the party’s congress to elect their  2012 presidential candidate.

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