Parliamentary primaries for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in constituencies where it has no sitting Members of Parliament in the southern sector ended successfully Saturday albeit with a few scuffles and shocking results. Per the results of the primaries, the 2012 elections will witness a number of fresh faces contesting on the ticket of the NDC in its orphan constituencies like Andrew Okaikoi who got the nod to contest the Okaikoi North constituency seat. Mr. Okaikoi, husband of former Tourism Minister, Zita Okaikoi, polled 237 of the total votes cast to fend off competition from four other contenders including the party’s 2008 candidate, Kweku Eshun who lost to the NPP’s Elizabeth Sackey and again missed out on the chance to contest on the party’s ticket for a second time. Nasiru Abass and John Kwesi Mensah who also contested the Okaikoi North seat both managed 158 votes and 5 votes respectively. Zita Okaikoi on the other hand was not as fortunate as her husband. Contrary to her belief of scooping 85 percent of the votes, the former Information and Tourism Minister managed a paltry 73 votes losing out to a relatively new comer, Sophia Akuakuo who polled 100 votes thus getting the green light to battle the NPP’s Adwoa Sarfo for the Dome-Kwabenya seat. The third candidate, Isaac Adamah managed to secure 1 vote. In the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, the immediate past parliamentary candidate, Kojo Twum Boafo who lost out during the 2008 elections to NPP’s Frema Opare did not contest making it an open race for three candidates, Kingsley Awuah Darko, Delali Kwesi Birimpong and Dr. Ebenzer Hayford. Mr. Awuah Darko got the nod from the constituency’s 303 delegates while his other contenders Delali Kwesi Birimpong and Dr. Ebenezer Hayford managing 99 and 21 votes respectively. The contest in the Okaikoi South constituency was keen with the 2008 parliamentary candidate for the area Isaac Mensah battling it out with David Frimpong, Alex Ackuako and Korankye Adama. Total votes cast were 358 with 2 rejected ballots. Isaac Mensah came close to getting the nod again with 113 but was beaten by Alex Ackuako who polled 221 votes and thus emerged the candidate to contest on the party’s ticket. David Frimpong garnered 10 votes while Korankye Adama had 12 votes. Supporters of Isaac Mensah, obviously disappointed, nearly caused a scene which could have degenerated into a mess but for the quick intervention of the police. Obviously disappointed and downhearted, the losing candidates each pledged support for the winner while the winners said they would do their best to unite the party and advance the cause of the NDC come 2012.