NDC To End Parliamentary Primaries By January 24

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), is expected to end its parliamentary primaries in the party�s holding constituencies by January 21- January 24, 2012.

However primaries in the newly created districts where additional constituencies are expected to be created including Kpone- Katamanso, Ningo-Prampram, Sege, Madina-Abokobi and are on hold awaiting announcement from the Electoral Commission.

Mr George Lawson, Deputy General Secretary (Operations) of the NDC who made this known to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra on Friday said whoever is interested to vie for the constituencies on hold could go for nomination forms.

He said vetting of candidates is on-going in all the regions and constituencies to be followed by the national vetting spanning January 7- January 10.

He said so far 69 people have filed their nominations in the Greater Accra Region, 22 in the Western Region with three unopposed, Central Region, 30 with Mike Hammah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources returning unopposed and 34 in the Eastern Region.

Mr Lawson said in the Volta Region 66 people have filed their nominations with two unopposed, Northern Region 75 with four people unopposed including Mr Haruna Iddrissu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Communications and 34 in the Eastern Region.

In the Brong Ahafo Region 25 people filed their nominations with one unopposed, Upper East Region 30 with Mr Cletus Avoka, Majority Leader and MP for Zebilla, going unopposed, Upper West Region, 19 and 11 in the Ashanti Region.

Mr Lawson appealed to the regional and constituency executives to stay neutral in the primaries and asked the contestants to ensure a free, fair and transparent elections devoid of violence, acrimony and intimidation.

Source: GNA