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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has released a notice of poll for the Special Electoral College (SEC) to choose five out of seven presidential aspirants in accordance with its constitution. According to the notice, the shortlisting vote will take place throughout the 10 regions on Sunday, August 31, 2014 from 8:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. The seven, who are vying for the post of the flag bearer to represent the party during Election 2016 are a former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku; a former Minister of Information, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng; Member of Parliament for Mampong and ranking member of the Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology in Parliament, Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh; Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw; a former Minster of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen; 2012 presidential candidate of the party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Second Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for Ketan-Essikado, Mr Joe Ghartey. Article 12 (5) (b) of the party�s constitution states that where there are more than five contestants for nomination as the party�s presidential candidate, a special electoral college shall cast their votes by secret ballot for the first five contestants to be shortlisted. The SEC shall comprise the national council, the national executive committees, regional executive committees, national council of elders, Members of Parliament, three representatives each of a special organ of the party, past national officers, three representatives each from every branch and founding members during the registration of the party at the Electoral Commission. Every delegate shall be entitled to one vote and where the number of aspirants approved by the vetting committee exceeds five, the SEC shall elect five and submit for election by the party�s delegates the names of the five aspirants as specified in Article 12 (A) (6), according to the party�s constitution. It further states that the election of the first five contestants by the SEC shall be conducted by the Electoral Commission of Ghana. Speaking to the Daily Graphic a flag-bearer aspirant, Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh, advised party supporters to disabuse their minds of the misconception that the task of the SEC was to select the flag bearer of the party for the 2016 elections, and explained that the SEC was only tasked to prune down the number of aspirants from seven to five for congress to elect one as the presidential candidate.