The New Patriotic Party Constituency Chairmen in the Ashanti region have petitioned the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Bosiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi to intervene in the prohibition of camping by Presidential Election Committee ahead of the party’s November 4 National Delegate Conference.
In a letter signed by Dominic Bosompem, the Constituency Chairman of Odotobiri Constituency in the region to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party and copied to President Akufo-Addo, the Chief of Staff, the National Executive Committee of the party and the Ashanti Regional Executives of the party, the Chairmen indicated that they are not pleased with the decision of the Presidential Election Committee to prohibit camping on the day of election.
“On behalf of constituency chairmen in Ashanti, l write this petition in protest to the communique from the Presidential Elections Committee detailing the respective venues for the elections during the November 4th National Delegates Conference across the country”.
Dominic Bosompem
According to the Constituency Chairmen in the Ashanti Region of the New Patriotic Party, the decision of the Presidential Election Committee not to allow delegates to reside at the various voting centres is inappropriate as it will create discomfort for the majority of the delegates, particularly those from far places.
The group therefore called on the party leadership and all stakeholders to intervene and have the Presidential Elections Committee reconsider its decision to prevent untoward hardship and inconveniences to delegates on the day of the election.
“We believe that, after delegates travel very far from their various communities and hinterlands to the voting centres, they should be hosted at venues assured of comfort. This is a delegates’ election, and not a national election, and for that matter, we believe we have the right to insist on measures that would be in the best interest of the various stakeholders, particularly the delegates”.
Dominic Bosompem
NPP Presidential Election Committee Accused Of Non-Consultation
Moreover, the Constituency Chairmen in the Ashanti Region of the New Patriotic Party accused the Presidential Election Committee of acting without the concern of the constituency executives of the party.
According to the group, it finds it very unfortunate for the Presidential Elections Committee to have disregarded the views of constituency chairmen before deciding on voting venues in their respective constituencies.
“As constituency chairmen in the Ashanti Region, we strongly think the Regional Leadership of the party has no hand in this decision, otherwise, we would have been consulted”.
Dominic Bosompem
The constituency chairmen in the Ashanti Region thus implored the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Mr. Bernard Antwi Bosiako to immediately intervene and have the Presidential Elections Committee to defer its decision and engage chairmen or constituency executives of the party.
According to the group, failure of the Presidential Election Committee to cooperate with them may create some adverse consequences during the national delegate’s conference of the party.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Presidential Elections Committee published its operational rules and regulations for its presidential primaries on November 4, 2023 on Saturday, September 23 2023.
The Committee prohibited delegates from camping on election day.
“There shall be no campaign, canvassing for votes or gathering of party people for any purpose whatsoever a day before voting”.
William Yamoah, Secretary NPP Presidential Election Committee
Meanwhile, the party is expected to hold its National Delegates Conference on November 4 to elect its flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.
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