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Feverish preparations are underway in the Upper West Region (UWR) to get all members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ready for the constituency primaries scheduled for November 7 this year. With the filing of nomination completed last week Thursday, the region is looking forward to holding successful primaries to elect party parliamentary candidates for the 2016 elections. As of last week Thursday, only four women, out of the 35 aspirants contesting the NDC parliamentary primaries in the 11 constituencies of the region, had filed their nomination forms. They are a former Chief Executive of the Jirapa District, Madam Vivian Kunko, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Sissala East, Madam Ali-Jata Sulemana, Madam Jamilatu Ibrahim also for Sissala East and Madam Mary Hagbana Azantilo for Sissala West. Speaking in an interview, the UWR Organiser of the NDC, Mr Adams Issahaqu Mengu, said the biometric registration would pave the way to broaden the electoral college during the forthcoming primaries, so everybody who calls himself or herself a member of the party should have their names registered. He said although the timetable for the vetting had not yet been released, vigorous campaigns were ongoing to get the people ready. Mr Issahaqu expressed the hope that the various campaigns would be done peacefully without any intimidation. Before the filing of nominations, registration had started to smoothen the way for the upcoming biometric registration exercise after the amendment of the party�s constitution by the Constitutional Review Committee. From all indications, the race among the five stalwarts contesting the Wa Central Constituency slot will be a close-fought one. This is because it is the first time that such a large number of aspirants have expressed their desire to contest. During the past parliamentary elections, it was the incumbent MP, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, and Mr Hudu Mogtari who contested but currently we have the incumbent MP, Dr Rashid H. Pelpuo Abdul, the Deputy UWR Minister, Dr Alpha Musheibu Mohammed, Mr Iddrisu Mahama, a retired educationist, Mr Wahid Bampuori Iddrisu, a lawyer and Mr Kukurah Jamal-Deen, an educationist. Other candidates are the incumbent MP, Mr Ameen Salifu, who will be competing with the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Dr Henry Seidu Danaah, for the Wa East Constituency, while at the Wa West Constituency, the incumbent MP, Mr Joseph Yeleh Chireh, will lock horns with Mr Pharuk Bandanaa and Mr Seidu Tungbani, a former DCE. The race for the Nadowli/Kaleo seat has the incumbent MP, Mr Alban S. Bagbin, in contention with Mr Roger Gaalee, a lecturer of UDS, Mr Salifu Dumba and Mr David Jawara. Another hot spot is the Nandom Constituency where three youthful candidates have filed their nominations following the decision of the incumbent MP, Dr Benjamin Kunbour, not to contest in the primary. They are the Nandom District Chief Executive, Mr Cuthbert Baba Kuupiel, Dr Richard Kum-Ere and Dr Luke Anle �Ere. For the Lawra Constituency, the incumbent MP, Mr Sampson Abu, will compete with Mr Pascal B. Dery, the DCE and Mr Bede Ziedeng, a former UWR Minister. In the Daffiama/Bussie/Issa Constituency where the incumbent MP is an Independent Candidate, three contenders have filed their nominations. They are Lt Col. Batureh (retd), a former Deputy UWR Minister, Mr Abu K. Kansangabata, aka Abu K K, and Dr Sebastian Saandaare of the Lawra Government Hospital.