The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has opened nominations for the selection of its parliamentary candidates to contest the 2004 general election in all the 33 constituencies in the Ashanti Region.

Mr Emmanuel Nti-Fordjour, NDC Regional Chairman, said the party would ensure that the selection process was made transparent and democratic.

Addressing a Regional Executive meeting with Constituency Chairmen of the Party in Kumasi, he said the party would not put impediments in the way of any card-bearing member desirous of contesting the primaries.

"We are not going to impose candidates on the constituencies and we would respect the choice made by our people at the primaries."

He called for hard work, total commitment, sacrifice and loyalty from members and supporters of the party.

"This is necessary to help the party make a strong showing in the next general election in the region, which is noted to be the stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), he said".

He said for the NDC to win back political power it was important to capture an appreciable percentage of the votes in the Ashanti Region.

"This is the more reason why we should ensure that our campaign machinery operates at the optimum level."