The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has precluded 29 constituencies from participating in tomorrow’s parliamentary primaries across the country to elect candidates for the 2016 parliamentary poll.
Six are in the Ashanti Region, namely New Edubiase, Akrofuom, Adansi-Asokwa, Manhyia North, Juaben and Kumawu.
Kintampo North and Upper Denkyira West constituencies in the Brong-Ahafo and Central Regions respectively are also exempted. Also exempted from the elections are the Talensi constituency in the Upper East Region – where a by-election is impending – and Nadowli-Kaleo in the Upper West Region.
The rest are Dome-Kwabenya, Tema West, Tema Central, Tema East, Okaikoi South, Klottey-Korle, Oboom-Domeabra, Ablekuma West and Krowor in the Greater Accra Region.
In the Volta Region, constituencies where elections are not holding are Ho Central, Nkwanta South, North Dayi, Krachi-Nchumuru and Ketu North.
Five in the Western Region, including Bia East, Bia West, Juaboso, Akontombra and Kwesimintim, are also exempted.
Ayawaso Central
Initial report suggested that Ayawaso Central and Dome Kwabenya were included in the constituencies not eligible to contest in tomorrow’s primaries but at press time last night Ayawaso Central and Dome Kwabenya had been cleared to contest.
According to Henry Quartey, the incumbent MP, he was ready for the contest and that all the aspirants should be allowed to go. “I don’t fear any contest and we are ready in Ayawaso Central,” he told DAILY GUIDE last night.
Mr Quartey, who is being challenged by two other aspirants, insisted that he was ever ready for the competition.
The same thing is applicable at Dome Kwabenya where Sarah Adwoa Safo is being challenged. Both constituencies have been cleared to take part in tomorrow’s process.
The party has put a stopper on the affected constituencies to allow for resolution of outstanding issues, a statement signed by NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong has indicated.
At the time of filing this report, the Appeals Committee of the party was meeting over some of these issues, including petitions against certain aspirants.
But Kwabena Agyepong said, “The date for the primaries of these constituencies would be announced in due course.”
That notwithstanding, he pointed out that all was set for elections to be held in the remaining constituencies, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
In conformity with Article 6 (14) of the party’s constitution, the electoral college for the primaries shall include members of the Constituency Executive Committee, all Electoral Area Coordinators, the five executives at each polling station, any founding member from the constituency who is a signatory to the registration document of the party at the Electoral Commission, five members of the Council of Elders and five patrons from each constituency.
The statement further directed that “only the registers used for the 18th October presidential primaries shall be used for this election.”
Akufo-Addo’s Counsel
Meanwhile, flagbearer of the party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has charged delegates in tomorrow’s primaries to be mindful of the choices they make by electing what he called “winnable” candidates who can win their seats and help deliver an NPP majority in the next Parliament.
“These candidates should also be the ones who can work hard to ensure an NPP victory in the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections,” he said.
This was contained in a statement in which he conveyed his best wishes to all aspirants and delegates in the race.
As the last internal contest ahead of the crucial 2016 general elections, Nana Addo appealed to all delegates, aspirants and party executives to exhibit a sense of maturity and unity of purpose.
“It is my expectation that the elections will be transparent and held in accordance with the constitution and regulations of our party and the laws governing the conduct of pubic elections in our country,” Nana Akufo-Addo counselled.
Thus far, he said, “The entire nation can bear testimony to the efficient, peaceful and successful manner in which we have conducted ourselves in our internal contests. Let us have healthy primaries and show the country that we are deserving of their mandate.”
<<Print>>