Supporters of Greg Selinger to become Manitoba's NDP leader pack the delegate's room at the Winnipeg Convention Centre Saturday. (Cecil Rosner/CBC)

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 and premier in a vote starting at 2 p.m. CT.

Premier Gary Doer announced Aug. 27 he was stepping down. The next day, he was appointed Canada’s 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 to begin at 1 p.m. CT.

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

According to Bell, Ashton’s team’s efforts are focused on satellite polling stations in Manitoba’s north, where they said Ashton enjoys widespread support.

Votes from the communities of The Pas and Ashton’s 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.