Delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have swarmed various polling centers to participate in the ongoing parliamentary primaries in the party’s orphan constituencies across the nation.
The party has orchestrated these primaries in 111 constituencies.
Voting activities commenced promptly at 7 am at the designated polling centers. To facilitate transparency and uphold democratic principles, the Electoral Commission (EC) is overseeing the primaries.
1. Chairperson of the Constituency Council of Elders as Chair;
2. Constituency Chairperson;
3. Constituency Secretary, who shall be the Secretary to the Committee;
4. An elderly woman in the constituency appointed by the Constituency Executive Committee
5. Constituency Research and Elections Officer
Earlier this week, the party disseminated guidelines for the parliamentary primaries in constituencies currently without NPP Members of Parliament.
“In cases where the Constituency Chairperson is a contestant, the First Vice Chairman will assume the role on the committee. Similarly, if the secretary is a contestant, the Assistant Secretary will undertake the responsibilities.”
The Constituency Parliamentary Elections Committee, responsible for overseeing these primaries, consists of the Chairperson of the Constituency Council of Elders, Constituency Chairperson, Constituency Secretary (who serves as the Committee Secretary), an elderly woman appointed by the Constituency Executive Committee, and the Constituency Research and Elections Officer.
In instances where the Constituency Chairperson or Secretary is a contestant, the First Vice Chairman or Assistant Secretary will step into the respective roles. Notably, the selection of parliamentary candidates in constituencies with incumbent MPs is slated for January 2024.
Evans Nimako, the Director of Elections and Research for the NPP, emphatically asserted the party’s commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased internal election process.
He assured prospective parliamentary aspirants that the leadership will not favor any candidate, emphasizing the conduct of primaries without the imposition of candidates.