The New Patriotic Party has charged all constituency executives not to deny any aspirant access to nomination forms.
This directive comes on the back of reports made by some aspiring Members of Parliament that they are being denied access to nomination forms.
Notable among the complainant is the former MP for Asante-Mampong, Addai Nimoh who has written to the Asante Regional executives of the party to assist him to purchase forms since the Asante Mampong constituency chairman is denying him access to the form
Other complaining aspirants in Sekyere East, Asokwa and Bekwai.
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“This appeal has become necessary because I am being denied access and obstructed to purchase the said forms at the Mampong Constituency Level of the party,” he said in a letter
Responding to these reports, Evans Nimako, Director of Research and Elections of the NPP in an exclusive interview with theghanareport.com asked all constituency executives not to deny anyone access to the forms.
“No constituency executive should deny aspirant access to nomination forms and I will urge aspirant to respect and obey the rules of the party by appealing to the Regional Secretariat or the General Secretary when they face any challenge purchasing forms…they should stop running to the media to create panic”
Debunking rumours that the party is deliberating frustrating aspirant to prevent sitting Member of Parliament, Mr Nimako said, “There is no such thing happening, the party believes in creating a fair playing field for every aspirant”
Background
The NPP opened its nominations for presidential and parliamentary primaries from January 20 to Thursday, February 20, 2020.
Aspiring presidential candidates will be required to pay GH¢200,000 as filing fees, while parliamentary candidates will be required to pay GH¢20,000.
However, those who are not sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) will be required to pay a party development fee of GH¢30,000.
All aspiring parliamentary candidates are to procure nomination forms after the payment of the non-refundable application fee of GH¢2,000 in banker’s draft.
All aspiring parliamentary candidates other than the sitting members of Parliament are also to pay a party development fee of GH¢30,000.
Meanwhile, women, youth and Persons with Disability (PWDs) who vie for the parliamentary candidate position will enjoy a rebate of 50 per cent on the filing fees and development levy and will be required to pay GH¢27,000.