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A very senior source at the headquarters of the New Patriotic Party has revealed to the New Statesman that the NPP�s 2012 Presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will not depart from the party�s convention of a presenting a balanced ticket, i.e. Northern Muslim/Southern Christian ticket, for the 2012 general elections. �There is a general consensus within the party that we will not be breaking this tradition. Nana Addo and former President JA Kufuor have endorsed the presentation of such a ticket for the 2012 elections,� the source added. When asked by the paper who the likely running mate would be, the source mentioned the names of Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2008 running mate, Boniface Saddique, Rashid Bawa, Haruna Alhassan, Alhaji Jawula and Dr Madjid. Other sources contacted by the paper indicated that those being considered for the position of running mate to Nana Addo may not be as broad as the names mentioned above. As far as the source is concerned, Nana Akufo-Addo�s listening tour of the three northern regions was timed strategically to coincide with Nana Addo�s pre-national council consultation exercise. �The listening tour helped Nana Addo make up his mind but the consultation exercise is still ongoing. Nana Addo is having discussions with the party�s leadership so that everyone is in sync with his choice, to help avoid any surprises at the National Council meeting,� the source disclosed. The source further disclosed that the National Council meeting at which the flagbearer will be expected to present the name of his running mate is most likely to take place on the December 27, 2011, but most certainly before next year. �The National Council initially gave the flagbearer up to the first quarter of 2012 to present his candidate. However, there are strong indications from headquarters as well as the entire membership of the party suggesting that Nana Addo should get this process over and done with as soon as possible,� the source said. �This will ensure the party begins the New Year with a clean slate in terms of the completion of the processes of electing a presidential candidate, his running mate, and parliamentary candidates,� the source continued. The NPP, the New Statesman can further disclose, will formally launch its campaign ahead of the 2012 elections in the 2nd week of January with the venue yet to be determined. But the paper is reliably informed that this event will take place either in the Ashanti Region or Western Region. The formal launch of the campaign is likely to be preceded by a major national fundraising event on the January 9, 2012.