Manitoba NDP leadership convention starts

Registration of NDP delegates at Saturday's leadership convention in Manitoba has closed as a vote to choose the province's next premier gets into full swing.

The delegates will choose either Greg Selinger or Steve Ashton to be the party leader andpremier in a vote starting at 2 p.m. CT.

Premier Gary Doer announced Aug. 27he was stepping down. The next day, hewas appointedCanadas next ambassador to the U.S.

According to initial reports from CBC reporter Julie Bell at the Winnipeg Convention Centre in Winnipeg, a large number of Selinger supporters rushed the convention room at the sprawling venue when the doors opened at noon.

Decked out in orange T-shirts, their rushing of the room is a strategy to occupy key spots prior to the start of speeches from the candidates, Bell said.

Speeches are slated tobegin at 1 p.m. CT.

However Ashton supporters, decked out in yellow T-shirts, appeared unconcerned at the number of Selinger supporters whoturned out.

According to Bell, Ashtons teams efforts are focused on satellite polling stations in Manitobas north, where they said Ashton enjoys widespread support.

Votes from the communities of The Pas and Ashtons riding of Thompson will also be counted.

Live coverage of the convention begins at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBC radio, television and online.