NPP parliamentary primaries begin

Accra, April 30, GNA - Primaries being organised by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to choose parliamentary candidates for Election 2012 began throughout the county on Saturday. The exercise is underway in 150 out of the 230 constituencies in a novelty that sees primaries in all the constituencies taking place on the same day instead of different days. Candidates in 70 constituencies were declared unopposed.

Elections in 10 other constituencies - Zebila, Talensi, Abuakwa North, Sissala East, Sissala West, Sege, Nkawkaw, Bosome Freho, Obom-Domeabra and Bekwai - have been postponed.

A visit to the some designated polling stations by GNA shows that voting started at most centres on time with delegates eagerly going through electoral processes to cast their votes.

About 500 delegates per constituency are expected elect a parliamentary candidate in elections which have a total of 64 women and 452 men contesting for the parliamentary seats.

The NPP explained that the party would hold a special conference in the constituencies which have unopposed candidates to confirm them through popular acclamation.

Eligible voters 16 Constituency Executive Committee; Polling Station Executives; Electoral Area Coordinators; Sitting Member of Parliament; Five elected members from the Council of elders; Five elected members from the council of patrons and any Founding Member from the Constituency who is a signatory to the registration documents of the Party at the Electoral Commission

The party directed all officers of the party to note that the conduct of elections at the Constituency is the responsibility of the Constituency Parliamentary Election Committee (CEC) and the Electoral Commission. It therefore urged all serving officers as much as possible to desist from interfering with the process, whilst directing all Constituency Executives to ensure strict compliance with the electoral rules. The party noted that every aspirant is entitled to a polling agent during the period of voting and counting of the ballots. There shall be NO proxy voting.