Despite fears of a clash between the two main rival camps within the Asante Akim South branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the party has held a peaceful delegates' conference to elect new officers.
The party, which has been polarised over the past few years saw Mrs. Gifty Ohene Konadu, the Member of Parliament (MP) declaring her support for Mr. Abdul Karim Boakye-Yiadom, a former District Chief Executive (DCE) for the chairmanship position, while the executives also threw their weight behind Mr. Asante Boateng, a legal practitioner.
This resulted in series of accusations and counter accusations between the two camps ahead of the election, thereby heightening tension but there was heavy security that ensured the election was peaceful and violent-free.
Mr. Asante Boateng was elected chairman after polling 383 votes to beat Mr. Boakye-Yiadom who polled 255 votes.
Mr. Joseph Opuni Donkor was also elected First Vice Chairman with 366 votes as against Mr. Daniel Aboagye's 273 votes, while Mr. Kwakye Twum was elected Second Vice Chairman unopposed.
Other executives elected were Mr. Adarkwa Yiadom, Secretary, Mr. Kwasi Aninakwa Twum, Assistant Secretary, Mr. Samuel Agyekum Darkwa, Organiser, Mr. Noah Kyei, Treasurer, Mr. Peter Kofi Azuma, Youth Organiser and Ms Comfort Asamoah, Women Organiser.
Mr. Boateng, on behalf of the elected executives thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in them and promised to work hard to strengthen the party at the grass root level.
He said the victory was for the entire party and would strive to unite the party and make it formidable as it prepared towards election 2012.
Mr. Boakye-Yiadom congratulated the victorious contestants and urged them to bring the two factions together.