The chances of the Minister for Energy, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom in stopping the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from retaining the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem (KEEA) took a severe dent when the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) held a primary to elect its candidate for the December Parliamentary elections at the weekend.

The KEEA District Chief Executive, Nana Ato Arthur polled 94 votes to beat the NPP?s 2000 Parliamentary candidate, Mr George Manso-Howard, who had 17 votes. Dr Nduom intends to contest on the ticket of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP).

The National Organiser of the NPP, Mr Lord Commey, said the doors of the party are still open to all and that the NPP is poised to win the 2004 Presidential and Parliamentary elections convincingly. The defeated candidate, Mr Howard, pledged his support for Nana Arthur.

Nana Arthur?s election as the NPP?s candidate will make Dr Nduom?s attempt to unseat the incumbent Member of Parliament, Dr Ato Quarshie of the NDC, very difficult.

Below are some results to help arrive at a reasonable conclusion, pending. The Daily Dispatch?s final opinion polls in October, after the filing of nominations at the Electoral Commission.

1996 Parliamentary

Dr Ato Quarshie (NDC) - 26,671 ? 62.8%

Catherene B. Aubyn (PCP) - 14,083 ? 33.2%

Benjamin Kweku Prah (PNC) - 1,590 ? 4

2000 Parliamentary

Dr Ato Quarshie (NDC) - 16,908 ? 46.3%

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom (CPP) - 15,941 ? 43.7

George Manso-Howard (NPP) - 3,477 ? 9.5