The NDP vote begins

After a summer of campaigning, the NDP is an inch closer to finding a new leader.

Voting has begun for the more than 124,000 members eligible to rank Charlie Angus, Niki Ashton, Guy Caron and Jagmeet Singh using a ranked preferential ballot system.

The first round of results will be announced next weekend, and if there's no clear winner, members can re-order their votes among the remaining contenders.

Karl Bélanger, a former top advisor to both Jack Layton and Tom Mulcair, says if Singh's membership numbers are as advertised, he'll be tough to beat.

"If Singh gets 47,000 that's going to be tough for the others to catch up," said Bélanger, who has remained neutral in race.

"People want to be with him. They want their pictures taken. They want to touch him. They want to talk to him. And there's a buzz."

Quebec MP Guy Caron is the "wild card," says Bélanger.

"Many his campaign would admit they see themselves as either finishing last or finishing first. There's no in between."

Of the group, Ontario MP Charlie MP is the street fighter, says Bélanger.

"When you're used to fighting for what you believe in and go hard at it some people don't necessarily like that. But you know, he's a punk rocker. He's not an opera singer."

While Manitoba MP Niki Ashton hasn't signed up  as many members, Bélanger says the influence of the party's left wing has grown during her campaign.