Ahead of the scheduled parliamentary primaries on January 27, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has disclosed the disqualification of eleven prospective candidates.
The revelation of the disqualifications came to light in a summary detailing the results of the vetting process conducted last week. Specific reasons for the disqualifications were not provided.
Speaking to the press in Accra, Evans Nimako, the Director of Elections, underscored that the vetting procedure strictly adhered to the party’s constitution.
He emphasized the party’s dedication to carrying out a vetting process that is both fair and transparent.
Nimako stated, “If you look at the party’s constitution, it has been done in a very free, fair and transparent manner. But, as I said, we are human, and that’s why the party has provided the opportunity for individuals who may feel aggrieved by some development to appeal through the National Parliaments Appeals Committee.”
Around 400 individuals acquired forms to enter the NPP Parliamentary race, and among them, 373 underwent the vetting process. Of these, 11 candidates faced disqualification, 326 successfully qualified to compete, and two cases were forwarded to the National Executive Committee for additional scrutiny.
Apart from the disqualifications, two aspirants opted to withdraw voluntarily from the race. Additionally, 29 individuals faced no opposition, and one aspirant had their application considered incomplete due to a failure to fill out the required forms. Moreover, two aspirants did not appear before the vetting committee.
The NPP has previously conducted parliamentary primaries in orphaned constituencies. The upcoming January 27 election will now take place in constituencies where the party currently has incumbent Members of Parliament (MP).