Why NPP suspended primaries in Kwadaso, Dormaa Central
Two constituencies in the Bono and Ashanti regions will not participate in the upcoming New Patriotic Party primaries to elect Parliamentary candidates for the 2020 elections.
The party has suspended until further notice primaries in Dormaa Central and Kwadaso constituencies, as it sorts out problems with their constituency registers (albums).
The NPP’s General Secretary, John Boadu, announced the decision at a press conference in Accra to state the modalities for the party’s primaries in 168 constituencies.
“There are issues with the album that we are still addressing and we have not finished resolving. On June 20, the stated constituencies will not be part of it.”
The NPP in September last year conducted primaries in 105 constituencies, where it has no MPs. But that of Krachi West, one of the orphan constituencies, is outstanding.
“Krachie West constituency has only one candidate that has filed, and the person is also going through the process that sole candidates are supposed to follow, in consultation with the National Vetting Committee,” he said.
Outlining the modalities for the primaries, he warned against vote-buying, insisting that the phenomenon was against the party’s culture.
Although Ghana’s laws frown on vote-buying, it is a widespread phenomenon with delegates said to swing in favour of the highest bidder.
In the recent past, delegates of the party have received television, branded LPG cylinders, food packs, and cash among others as inducements.
With candidates in the past meeting delegates deep in the middle of the night under the guise of campaigns, where monies and gifts flow, ostensibly to influence the delegates, Mr Boadu said all campaigns must cease by 1 am on June 19.
NPP National vetting committee endorses Akufo-Addo for 2020 elections
The primaries will take place at electoral areas instead of constituency levels.
As part of the safety protocols, the party has planned for the provision of sanitisers and nose masks at each polling station.
The election is set to commence from 7 am and end at 1 pm and will strictly follow President Akufo-Addo’s directive for public gathering not exceeding 100 people.
Voting will be done under the supervision of the Electoral Commission in close partnership with the party’s vetting committee.