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It could perhaps go into the history books as one of the longest running voting process for an internal election by a political party in Ghana.

After nearly 15 hours, casting of votes at the 9th National Delegates Congress of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), currently ongoing at the Trade Fair Center, has ended.

What a relief this must be to delegates and officials alike.

Voting started on Saturday at about 6pm, but as at 7am, there was still no clear end in sight to the process which was rather being done piecemeal.

Sabotaged???

Chaos nearly erupted with delegates from two regions, the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo, openly expressing resentments over the conduct of party officials in charge of the voting process.

The Brong Ahafo Regional delegates, in particular, felt sabotaged by the party executives.

Clearly unhappy with the turn of events, about 50 delegates from the Brong Ahafo region, left the Congress grounds in a fit of anger.

In an earlier interview with Nana Yaw Kesseh on UTV and PeaceFM, Alhaji Bermah Moro, the Sunyani East Dep. Treasurer, accused the NDC National Organizer, Kofi Adams, of being the mastermind behind the political machinations against the Regions that had not cast their vote.

According to him, Kofi Adams has ulterior motives to frustrate and prevent delegates from the two regions to exercise their franchise.

"But he won’t succeed. We will vote no matter what. We won't cower and give in to such political elimination by rough tactics. No matter how long it takes, we will wait and vote today," he stated emphatically.

"It is just common sense to have delegates from outside Accra, cast their vote first. How can you allow Greater Accra, Eastern and Central Regional delegates, who are closer to the venue in times of regional proximity, to do theirs before us (B/A delegates)?" he quizzed.

Thankfully, at 9:34am, party officials in charge of organising the elections, officially declared an end to the voting process.

Sorting out and counting of the ballot papers is the next on the agenda.

Over 28 delegates from each of the 275 constituencies, and a total 9,350 delegates, 5,650 observers thronged the Trade Fair Centre, La, for the Congress.

Ten (10) positions are up for grabs with a total of 65 candidates vying for the various positions.

The positions are: National Chairman,Vice-Chairman,General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary,National Organiser, Deputy National Organiser, Communications Officer, Deputy Communications Officer,National Executive Committee members and the Zongo Caucus Coordinator.

So far, the race for National Chairman and General Secretary have been adjudged the most keen.


More soon...