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All is set for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Delegates Congress with voting set to begin all 275 constituencies across the country. Over 140,000 delegates of the main opposition party are going to the polls to elect one among three candidates; Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, two time flagbearer of the NPP, Alan K Kyerematen, a former Minister for Trade and Industry and Hon Francis Addai-Nimoh, Member of Parliament for Mampong constituency are all on the battle field contesting for the flagbearership position. But which of these three will be chosen to lead the major opposition Political Party in the 2016 elections? The past few months of campaigning have been full of bickering and hurling of invectives. Tension in the party rose with each passing day; a situation that threatened the very foundation of the party. By 6pm today, the curtains will be drawn and the Electoral Commission would have declared the winner of the elections. Nana Akufo Addo rounding up his campaign on Thursday indicated that he trusts the delegates and he knows they will vote massively for him. Alan Kyerematen had earlier on urged the delegates to do a comparative analysis; between the three candidates and judge for themselves, which one of them was the best. Hon Addai-Nimoh, who pulled a surprise percentage at the Super Delegates Congress held nationwide, said he will pull an even bigger surprise again at the end of today�s polls. He has therefore called for a free, fair and transparent election. The Electoral Commission (EC) among other guidelines has asked delegates not to openly brandish who they voted for on the ballot paper. Anybody who falls foul of that directive will see his or her ballot paper cancelled. The NPP party executives have also asked supporters of the various candidates not to wear their T�shirts of any of the aspirants to the polling stations. Meanwhile, the police have assured of adequate security and vigilance. So the big question now is who wears the crown? Below is the full details of the NPP guidelines OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ON THE 18TH OCTOBER 2014 This is to inform delegates, candidates and members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of the operating instructions for the election of the Party�s Presidential Candidate on 18th October 2014. Conduct of Elections The Election will be conducted by the Electoral Commission and under the general provisions of the Public Elections Regulations, 2012 C.I. 75. As such Presiding Officers of the EC will be in total control of the Polling Stations. Polling Agents A candidate may appoint two polling agents to attend at every polling station nationwide, but only one will be engaged at any given time. Polling Hours and Admission to Polling Stations The poll shall be taken between the hours of seven (7) o�clock in the morning and three (3) in the afternoon. Only still in the queue after 3:00 pm will be allowed to vote. Identifications and Verification of Voters A presiding officer may, before delivering a ballot paper to a person to vote at the election, require the person to produce. A voter identification A party membership card In order to establish that the person is the voter whose name, picture and particulars appear in the album. Secret Ballot (Article 49 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana) Voting shall be by secret ballot and on first come first serve basis. Voting by Proxy All proxies should be eligible voters with their name on the proxy list and should also produce a copy of the proxy form. Result of Election The presiding officer shall immediately after the close of poll in the presence of the agents of the candidates. Count the ballot papers at the Polling Station. Record the total number of votes cast in favour of each candidate as well as total number of rejected ballots. Sign a declaration and cause the agents to sign as to the results of the election. Announce the results of the voting at that polling station. Give each agent a copy of the declaration of results. The results of the election shall be transmitted to the Regional Electoral Officer and the National Electoral Commission for collation in the presence of Candidate�s agents, and for declaration. Aspirants are further entitled to nominate Two (2) agents to represent them at the results collation centre at the Electoral Commission Headquarters. Declaration and Publication of Election Results In accordance with the provisions of the Party�s Constitution, the candidates who receives more than fifty percent of the valid votes cast shall be declared elected as the presidential candidate of the party by the Electoral Commission. Where no candidate obtains more than fifty percent of the valid votes cast, the Electoral Commission shall conduct a second election and the candidates who obtained the second highest number of votes shall subject to any withdrawal be the candidates in the subsequent election and the process shall be continued. Polling Stations For the purpose of the election, the district Electoral Officer shall prescribe the polling station in the constituency capital after the consultation with the constituency executive. The polling station shall be the polling station for persons entitled to vote in the constituency. All regional officers and other persons required to vote at the regional centre shall note at the polling station in the constituency where the regional officer is sited. The National Headquarters shall be the polling station f National Council Members National Executive Committee Members with the exception of Regional Officers and Members of Parliament iii. National Council of Elders Past National Officers Past President of Ghana Past NPP Presidential Candidates and Running Mate vii. Three (3) Representatives of each of the Special Organs of the Party viii. Twelve (12) delegates from every external branch as defined under section 8 (2) of the NPP Constitution DO�S AND DONTS - There shall be no campaigning at the polling station on Election Day. - Party supporters shall not wear T�shirts of candidates to the polling station on Election Day. - Voters who display the candidate of their choice at the polling station after marking the ballot paper will have their votes nullified (Art. 49 Secret Ballot). - Refusal of candidate�s agents to sign declaration of results sheets will not invalidate the election results. - No voter shall take photos of any �thumprinted� ballot paper. - There shall be no violence at the polling station. - No party official shall give directives to the presiding officer/delegates. - No media house shall declare the election results of the election; only provisional results emanating from the various polling stations shall be communicated to the general public. - Only the Electoral Commission of Ghana shall declare certified results of the election. - Constituency patrons and council of elders are not eligible to vote.