NPP bypasses balloting for National Chairman-aspirants

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday, February 24 conducted balloting for positions for 39 aspirants contesting seven national executive positions within the party.

Balloting for positions of National Chairman was, however, off the radar at the party's headquarters as the Vetting Committee is yet to complete vetting of Paul Afoko, one of the aspirants. The other aspirants are incumbent Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, Stephen Ntim and incumbent 1st Vice Chairman Fred Oware.

A petition was filed against Mr Afoko prior to his vetting and according to the NPP, consultations are ongoing to finalize investigations into the issues raised by the petition.

Balloting on Monday was smooth, according to Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, the party’s Director of Elections, who spoke to TV3’s Wendy Laryea on Midday Live.

Mr Korsah, however, indicated that two aspirants for the Nasara Coordinator post were late to the venue, holding up the balloting process for that position for a few hours.

“No position is balloted for without full representation,” he said.

He said most aspirants were deputized for by representatives with the pretext that most of the candidates may be busy campaigning.

“Those representatives were duly accredited by the candidates,” Mr Korsah, who is also the Secretary to the Vetting Committee, said.

He indicated that the Committee will move into completing the voters’ register “and prepare the grounds in Tamale”.

The elections will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014.