The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has set September (three months hence) as the time for its potential aspirants for the 2008 flagbearer slot. That is when nomination forms and the appropriate fees (said to be between ¢250 million and 300 million) will be sent to the national headquarters of the part. Once the person’s scale through the party’s vetting, then their names and pictures would be placed on ballot papers for delegates to elect one in mid-December this year.
As at close of business last Friday (June 1), the Daily Dispatch had picked up credible reports of horse trading and bargaining between many of the eight of the potential aspirants would step down and throw their support behind some of those they consider as favourites. The Daily Dispatch is currently rounding up a series of opinion polls involving over 77% of voters. The polls involve over 5,500 respondents nationwide on various questions like the radio stations they listen to in the over 160 constituencies; which political party they think will win if elections were held today; the factor they would consider most important in voting for a presidential candidate in 2008.
Even though NPP’s Congress in December will be for it’s delegates to elect a flagbearer for 2008, the respondents are asked to state which of the more than 17 potential aspirants they would prefer. This is because many of the delegates in case of indecision will vote for the aspirant who appeals most to the floating voters.
Another aspect of the polls is to talk to potential delegates about who they would vote for. Whilst some of them were very frank, others were hedging, referring to the September event of picking of nomination forms and payment of filing fees. Others were giving alternatives, for example, one of the candidates, A, B, or C. The computations were so uniformed that they sort of confirmed the reports of the ongoing intense negotiations.
One of the leading candidates (name withheld) is said to be close to getting the public endorsement of three of the aspirants who have come out openly. Another shocker will be how one of the late entrants to the race will benefit from the support of the aspirants who started out in 2005.
