Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Evans Nimako, has revealed that flagbearer aspirants are expected to comport themselves in a manner that will not infringe upon the party’s constitution.
According to him, candidates who have picked and submitted nominations forms to the party must necessarily follow the guidelines of the party. He stated that candidates are to be guided by the rules and regulations in the nomination forms they procured, as well as the party’s constitution and the national constitution.
To ensure this, Mr Nimako noted that prior to submission of forms however, aspirants were expected to equally furnish the committee with their information concerning their CVs, places of work, schools attended and their vision and mission for Ghana. Additionally, he explained they were also exhibit their contributions to the party, as long as they want the party to sponsor them into the election 2024.
“So, these are areas that they were expected to operate within. That is why at the close of every session, they are given a copy of the party’s constitution to guide them, even ahead of the vetting. These are senior party members, they will comport themselves in a manner that will not infringe upon the party’s constitution.”
Evans Nimako
Despite the guidelines given, Mr Nimako highlighted that “the Oquaye committee is yet to sit and set the rules of engagement”. With this, he noted that once the candidates appear before the committee during the vetting stage, the party will make its intentions clear.
Commenting on whether the elections committee is satisfied with conduct of aspirants so far, Mr Nimako stated that the committee has not issued any statement to that effect. He underscored that the committee is yet to sit and interrogate the conduct of the candidates which will be done during the vetting period.
“So, for now, let us not pre-empt so much. We are hoping that as loyal party members who have gathered the courage to procure party forms, participate in the contest which is going to be fair, free and transparent. At the end of the exercise, we are all going to come together under the New Patriotic Party to prosecute the election 2024 and hopefully, the New Patriotic Party presidential candidate is going to be the next President.”
Evans Nimako
Party expectd to close filing of nominations tomorrow
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party is expected to close the filing of nomination forms tomorrow, June 24, 2023.
Speaking on the matter, the elections director of the party, Evans Nimako, expressed satisfaction with the filing of the forms by nine of the aspirants. He revealed that the party is pleased with the processes so far since nomination was opened 26th of last month.
“Hopefully tomorrow, nomination will be closed. We are expecting that the remaining two gentlemen who have been bold to pick up nomination forms will file as such, then the Oquaye committee will invite them next month for vetting.”
Evans Nimako
Touching on whether the filing of forms could be extended, Mr Nimako noted that it is unlikely, considering the proximity of the deadline. He revealed that per the party’s constitution, it stipulates that nomination will be done within a month and that is what the NPP is going by.
“It doesn’t lie in anybody’s mouth but the national council and the national executive committee. As of now, there isn’t going to be any meeting, either today or tomorrow morning to decide for an extension. So, hopefully, nomination will end. Not too long ago, the General Secretary issued a statement and that has to do with the postponement of the vetting. So, in terms of opening and closing the nomination, there hasn’t been any arrangement to extend. So, we are going by tomorrow’s deadline.”
Evans Nimako
READ ALSO: STC Managing Director Calls For National Industrial Policy To Address Taxes On Products
