Tema, Aug. 5, GNA - Delegates of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Tema Metropolis have been assured of the Electoral Commission's preparedness to ensure a smooth election of the party's flag bearer on Saturday, August 7.

Five contestants, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Mr Isaac Osei, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng and Mr Kwabena Kodua are contesting to lead the NPP in the 2012 Presidential Election.

Mr Michael Boadu, Deputy Greater-Accra Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) gave the assurance in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tema on Thursady.

He said ballot papers for the election in the three constituencies in the Metropolis have been received by the Metropolitan Office and were being kept at the Police Station to ensure their safety.

Mr Boadu said each of the constituencies would have its own polling station.

He stated that delegates from the Tema East would cast their votes at Our Lady of Mercy (OLAM) SHS, those in Tema West would vote at Star Academy while the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency delegates would vote at Apollo.

Mr Boadu said about 650 delegates were expected to participate in the August 7 election at Tema East, 450 at Tema West and 250 at Kpone-Katamanso Constituencies.

He said even though this was the first time the election of a flag bearer of a political party was being held at the various constituencies in Ghana, the EC was well prepared to ensure free and fair elections.

He said to satisfy the five candidates, each contestant was to provide a representative at the designated polling station, and urged delegates to adhere to the rules of both the EC and the party by refraining from fraudulent acts that could mar the success of the elections.