Justin Frimpong Koduah
The Electoral Commission (EC) has released the Notice of Poll for the Special Electoral College Election of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) slated for August 26, 2023.
The notice said all the 10 people have been duly nominated to contest the 2023 Special College Election and named the candidates as Ken Ohene Agyapong, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, Joe Ghartey, Kwadwo Poku, Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong respectively.
The rest are Francis Addai-Nimoh, Kofi Konadu Apraku, Boakye Agyarko and Mahamudu Bawumia in that order.
According to the Commission, the poll shall be taken at all regional centres across the country and the National Headquarters of the party between the hours of 9 O’clock in the morning and 1 O’clock in the afternoon.
This followed balloting for positions on the ballot paper, which took place on July 24, 2023.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is trying to be chosen among the first five of ten presidential candidates, chose the number ten slot on the ballot, while former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen chose the number two spot.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central and a businessman, picked number one on the ballot, while Joe Ghartey, former Minister of Railways and MP for Essikado-Ketan, chose number three.
Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former NPP General Secretary, picked the sixth slot, Kwadwo Poku, an energy specialist, picked the fourth, and Francis Addai-Nimoh, a former Mampong MP, the seventh.
Former Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto picked the fifth spot; former MP for Offinso North, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku picked 8th spot; and Boakye Agyarko, former Energy Minister, picked 9th slot on the ballot.
The party had scheduled the publishing of the first notice of poll on July 25, 2023.
Report on the conduct of the Special Electoral College to the National Council through the General Secretary will be done on August 28, 2023, whereas fresh balloting of the final five qualified candidates will take place on August 30, 2023.
Publication of the final notice of poll is scheduled for August 31, 2023, with the final congress set to come off Saturday, November 4, 2023 and run off, if any, on November 11, 2023.
By Ernest Kofi Adu