The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all regional and constituency executives who intend to contest the parliamentary primaries against sitting Members of Parliaments to resign from their positions.
According to a statement by the party, the executives are required to resign from their positions before September 20, 2023, to make them eligible to contest.
The decision, NPP said, was reached at its meeting held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, to consider the guidelines for the conduct of the Party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries in constituencies where the Party has sitting Members of Parliament.
“Regional and Constituency Party executives who wish to contest in the primaries in Constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament shall resign from their respective positions not later than September 20, 2023. All such executives shall tender in their resignation letters to their respective Regional Party Secretariats not later than September 20, 2023.
“Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Constituencies where the Party has sitting Members of Parliament are not eligible to contest in the parliamentary primaries for those Constituencies,” the statement stressed.
The party also cautioned to deal with presidential aspirants who engage in unhealthy campaigns that will dent the image of the party.
“Any Aspiring Presidential Candidate, or his supporters, and party executives at all levels who act in contravention of the Code of Conduct, moving forward, shall be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines thereof and the Party Constitution.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the relevant portions of the guidelines dealing with the expected standards of conduct include the following: All Aspiring Presidential Candidates shall campaign on issues and refrain from levelling unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks and vilifications against their opponents.”
It added that the Council at its meeting approved the recommendations of the Vetting Committee clearing all the ten Aspiring Presidential Candidates to contest in the primaries.
The approved candidates include Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Kwadwo Poku, Dr.
Mahamudu Bawumia, Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko, and Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong
The rest are Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Joe Ghartey (Esq) and Ing. Francis Addai-Nimoh.
According to the Council, the Special Electoral College scheduled for August 26, 2023, shall be held at each of the 16 Regional Capitals.
“Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote and shall cast his/her vote by secret ballot for only one Candidate. All Aspiring Presidential Candidates shall be given the validated Album for the Special Electoral College at least one month to the date of the Congress (i.e. not later than July 26, 2023),” the statement said.
FULL STATEMENT
