Eleven women will contest for parliamentary seats in nine out of the 22 constituencies in the Western Region during Election 2008 as compared to 13 in 2004. Four women are contesting the Jomoro and Sekondi parliamentary seats with two candidates each. However, there were no women candidates in Ellembelle, Takoradi, Effia-Kwesimintsim, Essikadu-Ketan, Prestea Huni Valley, Amenfi Central, Wassa Amenfi East, Aowin, Suaman, Sefwi Wiawso, Sefwi Akontombra, Juaboso and Bia constituencies. A statement from the Western Regional Directorate of Electoral Commission (EC), said New Patriotic Party (NPP) would contest in 21 out of the 22 constituencies in the Region. “The NPP would not contest in Ellembelle Constituency,“ it said. The statement said National Democratic Congress (NDC) would contest in all the 22 constituencies, while Convention People’s Party (CPP) also contested in 21 constituencies, Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) in six constituencies, Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in two constituencies. The statement said 90 candidates would contest the election with Effia-Kwesimintsim, Prestea-Huni Valley and Bia constituencies having the highest with six candidates each. Shama and Ellembelle constituencies have five candidates each, Jomoro, Ahanta West, Essikadu-Ketan, Takoradi, Amenfi Central, Aowin, Suaman, Bibiani-Anwhiaso-Bekwai and Juaboso have four candidates each and the remaining seven constituencies have three candidates each. It said eight independent candidates would contest, three of them in Ellembelle Constituency. Source: GNA