Nana Addo "Surprised" By Reports Of Initial Confusion...But Special Electoral College Proceeding Smoothly

The New Patriotic Party (NPP's) Special Electoral College process to prune down the number of presidential Candidate aspirant from seven to five by delegates, in keeping with the party's constitution, has proceeded peacefully across designated voting centres across the country, despite nearly initial scenes of confusion recorded at some centres. Some 787 delegates of the NPP are voting in Sunday�s polls at 11 polling centres in the ten regions of the country. About 130,000 delegates will be voting on October 18 to select a flagbearer to lead the party at the 2016 general elections. Seven candidates, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Francis Addai-Nimoh, Kofi Osei Ameyaw, Alan Kyerematen, Nana Akufo-Addo, and Joe Ghartey are hoping to make it to the top five after Sunday�s voting. Initial reports from the centres indicate that in some instances, voting has already ended or is nearing completion to await the counting of ballots at 3:30pm. Earlier reports by Utv's Prince Ahenkan, indicated that voting was halted at the party's National Headquarters in Accra, for nearly half an hour, because of confusion regarding proxy voting. None of the party agents representing the 7 aspirants were prepared to give in. The various agents insisted the delegates bring their proxy letters before they are allowed to partake in the exercise. But the Nima Police Command helped to calm matters. In Tamale, Kwabena Ntow reports that the timely intervention of security personnel prevented the ongoing special electoral college from turning bloody. According to him, one of the delegates nearly caused chaos at the voting centre when after casting his vote, decided to display it to the gathering. Agents of some of the aspirants got furious about his conduct and demanded nullification of his vote. The resultant chaotic situation ended the smooth conduct of the exercise which lasted for close to 10 minutes. Confusion was also recorded in the Eastern Region, but according to Michael Akrofi, peace eventually prevailed and the voting process subsequently resumed. Meanwhile, the 2012 Presidential Candidate of the NPP and one of the seven aspiring candidates, Nana Akufo-Addo, is "surprised" at reports of confusions erupting at some polling stations. He however pointed out that he will not "prejudice the matter" by making any comments but will wait until he is properly briefed. �I�m surprised to hear this news...I don�t want to prejudice the matter until I have heard from my people to hear what exactly took place,� Nana Akufo-Addo told the media. More soon.....