Following the easing of the restrictions that were placed on the country, to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Steering Committee of the New Patriotic Party has settled on June 20 as the date to hold the party’s parliamentary primaries in constituencies whose Members of Parliament belong to the governing party.
The decision was taken at a meeting held on Monday, June 1, 2020.
The Daily Statesman can report that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party will meet today to affirm the decision.
The party’s primaries, initially scheduled to take place on April 25, was suspended due to the restrictions placed on the country by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as part of measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
In view of the exigencies of the times, the delegates will vote in their various electoral areas, as demarcated by the Electoral Commission. This is to ensure strict adherence to the precautionary measures against the spread of the pandemic.
Critical decisions
Today’s NEC meeting will, among others, take two critical decisions. The first will be the final decision on candidates who are qualified to take part in the impending parliamentary primaries in the 168 constituencies under consideration. There will be no primaries in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency.
The notices of poll are expected to be published either on Friday or Saturday, while the successful candidates will be given at least two weeks to conclude their campaign.
Another equally critical decision to be taken at today’s NEC meeting is how the party will conduct its presidential nomination.
Information available to the Daily Statesman suggests that NEC is likely to waive the provisions of Article 13 of the party’s constitution, which stipulates how the presidential candidate is selected.
The intended waiver will grant the power to the National Council, which is the second highest decision making body of the party, to meet to acclaim the candidature of President Akufo-Addo, instead of holding National Congress for the acclamation.
Party insiders say this arrangement has been necessitated by the challenges posed by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Restrictions
The governing party postponed indefinitely its parliamentary primaries, originally scheduled to come off on April 25, due to the restrictions.
A statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, John Boadu, said the decision to suspend the primaries was taken by the party’s National Steering Committee at a meeting held on Tuesday, April 14.
“The National Steering Committee, by reason of Article 10(10) (1) of the party’s constitution, is the body responsible for overseeing the daily management of the party, and thus, mandated to ‘act on behalf of the party on urgent matters’ such as in the circumstances we find ourselves as a party and nation owing to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the General Secretary said in the statement.
The party expressed regrets about the inconveniences the postponement might have caused, adding that it “hopes to hold this crucial exercise sooner than later.”
The President, however, on May 31 eased some of the restrictions paving way for some political activities in the country, except rallies.
The President further directed political parties to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols during their activities, directing them not to have more than 100 people congregating at a place.
Source: Daily Statesman
