President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and other leaders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have met with flagbearer aspirants ahead of the internal elections.
The meeting was also attended by National Chairman of the NPP, Stephen Ntim, General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, and Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, chairman of the Council of Elders, among others.
The NPP will be going for the flagbearer elections on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor joined the meeting virtually, while Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, former Member of Parliament for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, and former Agriculture Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto were present in person.
Speaking at the meeting, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang said that the NPP must not allow the severe pain of losing a previous election to break the party, as this was the only way for the party to remain relevant in the changing political landscape.
The Presidential Elections Committee has released guidelines for the primaries, which will take place at all the 275 constituencies across the country and at the Party Headquarters, Asylum Down, Accra.
In a statement, the committee said that the Electoral Commission (EC) will supervise the conduct of the elections and will have full responsibility for ensuring a transparent, free and fair election.
The committee added that the security activities rest exclusively with the police and access beyond security perimeters is restricted to delegates, Presidential Elections Committee Members, contestants, and their accredited agents.
The committee also stated that there shall be no campaign, canvassing for votes, or gathering of party people for any purpose whatsoever a day before voting. Voters are expected to “walk in” freely by themselves, with the physically challenged being assisted.
Delegates shall not be allowed to enter the voting screen or booth in groups or in pairs, and voting shall not take place indoors but in an open place in the full glare of the public. No voter shall wear the colour or effigy of a contestant at the voting center, and delegates who have cast their vote will not be re-admitted into the voting perimeter. Anyone found directing a delegate on which contestant to vote for will be removed by the police.
By Vincent Kubi