Thomas Adu Appiah, popularly known as “Chairman Toma”, is projected to narrowly defeat incumbent Baba Bukari in the Bono East regional chairmanship race, according to an indicative eBallot poll ahead of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) regional elections.

The poll puts Toma on 53 percent, against 47 percent for Bukari, also known as Chairman IB. The margin of error is plus or minus five percentage points, suggesting the contest could be closer than the figures indicate.

The chairmanship race is one of several tightly contested battles expected in the regional elections, with Toma seeking to reclaim the position and Bukari campaigning for re-election.

According to the poll, some delegates have expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as unfulfilled commitments, including promises to help secure parliamentary seats for the party and provide GH¢50,000 a month to each of the region’s 11 constituencies.

A total of 258 delegates are expected to vote. They comprise 209 constituency executives, 17 regional executives, one Member of Parliament, eight TESCON presidents and 20 members of the Council of Patrons and Elders.

The 1st Vice Chairman contest is also projected to be closely fought, with Ibrahim Mohammed leading former MP Alex Gyan by 44 percent to 41 percent. Peter Keranteng is on 15 percent.

Mohammed is seeking a return to the position after losing it in 2022, while Gyan is relying on his parliamentary experience, according to the poll.

Atta Kofi Amofa, meanwhile, is projected to secure a comfortable victory in the 2nd Vice Chairman race, with 64 percent against incumbent Baba Abdullah’s 36 percent.

The poll attributed Amofa’s projected lead partly to renewed support for his campaign after two unsuccessful attempts to become regional secretary.

Incumbent Regional Secretary David Boakye is also projected to retain his position, although his lead over former District Chief Executive Peter Mensah is relatively narrow, at 54 percent to 46 percent.

Deputy Regional Secretary Mahama Seidu Limann is projected to record one of the biggest victories, with 84 percent against Boahen Opoku’s 16 percent.

Limann, who is seeking a third term, has received support from grassroots activists, including through the provision of farming tools and assistance to party communicators, the poll said.

The Organizer contest is projected to be even more decisive, with Musah Sulemana taking 82 percent against Agyemang McCarthy’s 18 percent.

The Treasurer race, however, is too close to produce a clear favourite, with Charity Adjei on 30 percent, Charles Tadi on 28 percent, Gloria Mullen on 24 percent and incumbent Martha Baffoe on 18 percent.

The Women Organizer contest is similarly tight, with Sophia Danso projected to defeat Akosua Kuffour by 52 percent to 48 percent.

In the Communications race, Kofi Ohene Sakyi leads with 38 percent, followed by Owusu Ebenezer on 35 percent and Ansu Seidu on 27 percent.

Incumbent Jibril Abubakar is projected to retain the NASARA Organizer position with 52 percent against comeback candidate Adamu Mohammed on 48 percent.