The stage is set for the New Patriotic Party‘s eagerly awaited Parliamentary primaries slated for today, January 27, 2024.
These elections will take place across more than 104 constituencies where the party currently holds incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs).
However, six constituencies will not participate in the elections. These excluded areas include Mampong and Fomena in the Ashanti Region; Binduri in the Upper East Region; Agona West in the Central Region; Akwapim South in the Eastern Region; and Sunyani East in the Bono Region.
This decision stems from various challenges, including court injunctions and internal issues that have been brought to the attention of the party’s national leadership.
In Fomena, for instance, efforts are underway to address a noticeable division as an independent candidate emerges from the party’s ranks, despite the presence of a sitting MP.
Sunyani East faces a setback with a High Court’s rejection of the constituency album, leading to a halt in the election of constituency executives.
Meanwhile, in Akwapim South, regional executives are engaged in ‘broader consultation’ following the withdrawal of the sitting MP, OB Amoah, from the race.
During an interview on Asempa FM on Thursday, January 25, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the General Secretary of the NPP, highlighted the affected constituencies.
He noted that there has been no official notification regarding a potential seventh constituency, the Upper Denkyira East, yet.
Despite these hurdles, Kodua assured that the party is fully prepared for the primaries.
So far, 321 candidates have been cleared to contest out of a total of 373 aspirants who filed to participate in the primaries.
Twenty-nine of the cleared candidates are running unopposed, 11 were disqualified, two were referred to the National Executive Committee (NEC), two withdrew, one submitted an incomplete form, and two did not appear for vetting, leaving the qualified aspirants for the primaries at 321.
Prior to the exercise, the party has announced that the Ghana Police Service will assume full responsibility for security arrangements during the polls.
Source: InsiderGH.com
