Accra, Dec. 23, GNA - Mr Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen on Sunday stood down after the first round of voting to pave the way for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to Election 2008.

About 52 per cent of delegates, who congregated at the ruling NPP Special National Delegates Congress voted against Nana Akufo-Addo, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, thus making it impossible for him to obtain the mandatory more than 50 per cent of valid votes cast.

At the close of over 16-hours of voting and counting, Nana Akufo-Addo obtained 1,096 of the total 2,285 valid votes cast, representing about 47.97 per cent; Mr Kyerematen polled 738 votes representing about 32.30 per cent while the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama placed third with 146 votes representing about 6.39 per cent. Eight votes were rejected.

Article 12 (7) of the NPP Constitution, on the Election of the Presidential Candidate states: "Where there is only one contestant for nominations as the Party's presidential candidate, the National Congress `shall acclaim his nomination as the party's Presidential Candidate.

"Where there is more than one contestant, each delegate will cast his or her vote by secret ballot for one of the contestants. Where a contestant obtains more than fifty percent (50%) of the votes cast, he or she shall be the party's Presidential Candidate.
"Where, however, no contestant obtains more than 50% of the votes cast, there shall be a run-off between the first two contestants and the contestant with a simple majority shall be the party's Presidential Candidate. In the event of a tie between the two contestants, the run off will continue until one contestant obtains a simple majority."
The Deputy Chairman of Electoral Commission in Charge of Operations, Mr Kwadwo Osafo-Kantanka, who conducted the elections declined to declare the winner and urged the NPP Executives and delegates to decide the next line of action. After series of consultations, Mr Kyeremanteng conceded defeat to Nana Akufo-Addo.
In all 2,293 delegates made up representatives from the 230 constituencies, overseas branches and patrons of the party voted to elect the flag bearer.
Votes obtained by the other aspirants were: Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo; 63 votes representing, 2.76 per cent; Mr Daniel Kweku Botwe, 52 votes representing 2.28 per cent;
Papa Owusu Ankomah had 34 votes representing, 1.49 per cent and Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman had 28 votes representing 1.23 per cent.
The rest were: Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, 22 votes representing 0.96 per cent; both Professor Mike Oquaye and Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey had 20 votes each representing 0.88 per cent; Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku obtained 19 votes representing 0.83 per cent; Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng had 12 votes representing 0.53 per cent; Mr Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko obtained 10 votes representing 0.44 per cent; both Mr Felix Kwesi Owusu-Adjapong and Mr Kwabena Agyepong had nine votes each, representing 0.39 per cent; Dr Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah had six votes representing, 0.26 per cent and Dr Kobina Arthur Kennedy obtained one vote representing 0.04 per cent.