Ten of the New Patriotic Party’s presidential hopefuls will know their fates as the party holds a Special Delegate Congress today, Saturday, August 26, 2023, to shortlist candidates capable of succeeding President Akufo-Addo as flagbearer in the upcoming 2024 elections.
According to the leaders of the party, polls will start at 9:00 a.m. and close at 1:00 p.m. at all centres.
There are 10 flag bearers in total, and while most of them are confident that their names will appear on the final list of five, others are in for a surprise.
The Special Delegates Congress is a preliminary to the national conference on November 4, 2023, where the party’s flag bearer for the 2024 general election will be elected.
The presidential hopefuls competing in the Special Delegates Congress are Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, Ken Ohene Agyapong, Joe Ghartey, Kwadwo Poku, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Francis Addai Nimoh, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku and Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko.
The National Executives of the party have assured aspirants to enforce guidelines agreed upon by aspirants themselves in order to ensure a transparent congress come August 26, 2023.
The guidelines are expected to regulate the conduct of delegates and the entire election process to select five out of the ten aspirants seeking to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.
Some key guidelines of the party are that no aspirant will appoint government officials and any delegate listed to vote in the elections as agents (whether Special Electoral College or the Main Election).
The government officials include but are not limited to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Ministers of State and Chief Executive Officers of state-owned enterprises, Regional Executives and Constituency Executives.
The guidelines further indicate that the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Police should enforce and prevent delegates from taking their phones and other photographic gadgets to the voting screen.
Additionally, the EC will use complex serial numbers to avoid ballots being traced to voters at a later date, and that the Electoral Management body should deny influencers and “Machomen” access to the voting centres.
Ballots are also expected to be counted and declared immediately after the close of poll at each voting center, and each aspirants will have two accredited agents but at all times he would be represented by one Polling Agent at each Polling Station.
