The New Patriotic Party has issued a comprehensive set of protocols aimed at ensuring the integrity and fairness of its parliamentary primary in the Agona West Constituency scheduled on Saturday, April 13th 2024.
The party’s General Secretary, Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua in a statement indicated that the protocols were designed to safeguard transparency and fairness for the election and also outline stringent guidelines for both voters and organizers.
“The National Secretariat announces the release of protocols governing the conduct of the Agona West parliamentary primary election scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024. These protocols have been formulated to ensure the integrity and fairness of the electoral process”.
Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua, NPP’s General Secretary
Lawyer Kodua began by stating that the Electoral Commission of Ghana is the body entrusted with the supervision of the election and with paramount responsibility for guaranteeing a transparent, free, and fair electoral process.
He noted that under the supervision of the Electoral Commission, the election will be held at a single voting centre at the Otabilkrom Astroturf in Agona Swedru.
Ghana Police to Supervise Security Arrangement
The New Patriotic Party General Secretary further noted that the security arrangements for the event would be exclusively managed by the Ghana Police Service, with access beyond security perimeters strictly limited to authorized personnel, including delegates, election supervisors appointed by the National Secretariat and Region, contestants, and their accredited agents.
Mr Kodua also noted that in adherence to the protocols of the primary, no congregations will be permitted on the day of voting while notably, no provision has been made for speeches or public addresses by any party or government officials, ensuring an environment devoid of external influences.
Furthermore, Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua recounted that voters are expected to arrive independently, with no escorts permitted to accompany delegates to the voting screen unless necessitated by mobility issues and with the explicit consent of the Electoral Commission.
He indicated that all delegates shall be given clearance by the Electoral Commission before entering the queue control perimeter.
Additionally, Lawyer Kodua emphasized that the party’s rules strictly prohibit the wearing of any attire or accessories bearing the colours of contestants within the voting centre.
He stressed that all delegates are barred from entering the voting screen in groups or pairs, and once a vote is cast, re-entry into the voting perimeter is strictly prohibited.
Moreover, the chief scribe of the ruling party admonished that individuals found attempting to influence delegate votes or engaging in any form of electoral misconduct will be promptly removed by law enforcement authorities.
He also underscored the need for all delegates to immediately depart from the demarcated voting perimeters after casting their ballots.
To maintain the secrecy of the ballot, Lawyer Justin Frimpong Koduah indicated the Electoral Commission and the Police will enforce restrictions on the presence of mobile phones and photographic devices within the voting area.
He noted that the protocols guiding the party’s parliamentary elections frown upon public display of ballot after voting hence any display of cast ballots to the public will result in the nullification of the vote, with stringent measures in place to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the voting center.
In addition, Lawyer Kodua stated that the electoral voting process will adhere to standard walk-in practices, with presiding officers tasked with facilitating the voting process for individuals.
He mentioned that ballot papers will be issued to delegates individually, ensuring the integrity of the voting process while the rules guiding elections prohibit proxy voting.
Lawyer Justin Frimpong Koduah concluded his remarks by urging all delegates to carry valid identification cards to verify their eligibility to vote.
He emphasized that the approved protocols for the parliamentary primary in the Agona West Constituency underscore the party’s commitment to a transparent, free, and fair electoral process.
He thus called for cooperation from all stakeholders, to uphold the principles of equity, impartiality, and transparency for the parliamentary primary scheduled on Saturday April 13, 2024.
READ ALSO: Government’s Agenda 111 Projects Struggle as Completion Targets Elapses
