Justin Kodua Frimpong
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged all regional executive committees of the party to immediately cease issuing any orders on the conduct of parliamentary primaries in “orphan constituencies.”
It also wants all monies taken from prospective parliamentary candidates pursuant to these “unauthorised and unapproved directives” be refunded to them in line with the letter and spirit of this communication.
The NEC, in a statement issued and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said its attention had been drawn to “various directives” issued by some regional executive committees to aspiring candidates on the conduct of the party’s upcoming parliamentary primaries in “orphan constituencies.”
“The directives include, but are not limited to the fixing of tentative dates for the conduct of the parliamentary primaries, charging of ‘development levy’, among others,” the statement noted.
While acknowledging and appreciating the otherwise good intentions behind these decisions, the national executive body reminded them that directives governing the conduct of the party’s elections can only be issued by the National Executive Committee, the appropriate constitutionally mandated body to do so.
“Accordingly, all Regional Executive Committees are, by this letter, directed to cease forthwith, the issuance of any directives on the conduct of parliamentary primaries unless and until the same have been approved by the National Executive Committee in accordance with the Constitution of the party,” the statement stressed.
“Again, it is directed that, all monies taken from prospective parliamentary candidates pursuant to these unauthorised and unapproved directives be refunded to them in line with the letter and spirit of this communication,” the statement emphasised.
The NEC said it anticipated the usual cooperation of all regional executives.
Background
On July 11, 2023, the NPP began accepting nominations for parliamentary primaries in constituencies where the party has no representation, popularly known as orphan constituencies.
The nomination period will end on Thursday, August 10, with elections scheduled from September to December.
According to the party, male aspiring parliamentary candidates must pay a non-refundable filing fee of GH¢35,000, while women and those with disabilities pay half of the fee.
Aspirants have been asked to follow the party’s constitution and use the proper mechanism to channel any issues that may arise.
By Ernest Kofi Adu