The New Patriotic Party is set to hold its parliamentary primaries in over 101 constituencies across the country. Sixty-seven NPP Members of Parliament are running unopposed in these primaries.
In an interview with Asaaseradio.com, the national organiser of the party, Sammi Awuku, said: “As we speak, we are prepared as a political party. We’ve despatched over 100,000 face masks to the over 2,400 voting centres across the country.
“Again, let me emphasise that this is a constituency delegates’ conference, but here again it’s a one-item agenda – the election of parliamentary candidates. So we are prepared for tomorrow … We expect to have smooth sailing tomorrow as far as the parliamentary primary is concerned.”
Awuku added, “We have had discussions and subsequently confirmed with the Ghana Police Service to deploy their men to these 2,400-plus voting centres across the country. We have also indicated some flashpoints to the police where they need to keep an eagle eye, as far as protecting lives and properties and ensuring that nobody comes there to misbehave at the voting centre.
“As at last night [Thursday 18 June], we had printed all the ballot booklets and ballot papers, supervised by the Electoral Commission. We have also handed the electoral albums to the Commission last night [Thursday].”
Injunction in Asante Akim North
One hundred and forty-five delegates of the NPP in Asante Akim North in the Ashanti Region have filed an interlocutory injunction against Saturday’s primaries.
The delegates say their names have been “unlawfully” and “fraudulently” taken out of the local party album.
The contest on Saturday was going to be between the incumbent, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, and Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, a former MP.
Responding to the injunction, Awuku said, “We’ve been notified of some moves there and we are working with the executives to see what we can do.”
Measures to protect against COVID-19
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has asked members of the party to adhere strictly to all COVID-19 hygiene and social distancing protocols that the Electoral Commission has put in place in the lead-up to the primaries on Saturday.
The president believes the exercise on Saturday will highlight the country’s preparedness for the December general election.
In a Facebook post, the president said: “On Saturday, there will be no individual winners, neither will there be losers. It is the NPP that must emerge stronger, united and victorious.
“We have a collective responsibility to demonstrate to the country, once again, our credentials of being the party with the strongest attachment to the principles of democratic accountability. We dare not fail the Ghanaian people,” President Akudo-Addo said.
