RE: Each NPP Delegate will Vote for Only ONE Contestant

NPP SPECIAL DELEGATES CONGRESS
Each Delegate will Vote for Only ONE Contestant

My attention has been drawn to a publication on myjoyonline.com dated 29-08-2014 Time: 06:08:39pm attributed to My. Nii Ayikoi Otoo.


It states: “Mr. Ayikoi Otoo explained that the 787 delegates will have to tick five names on the ballot after which the results will be tallied and the successful candidates declared”.



This statement is totally wrong, false and misleading. It should not be allowed to stand for a moment. It should not be allowed to mislead any delegate of the party. Whoever is responsible for this false and baseless information should withdraw it from the public domain with an unqualified apology.



In the forthcoming election, Article 12 (7) (B) of the NPP Constitution reads in plain and simple English: “where there is more than (1) contestant, each delegate will cast his or her vote by secret ballot for ONE of the contestants”.



When certain persons tried to bring this strange idea of voting for five people, the undersigned came out with a clear reference to the Constitution to put the so-called “controversy” to rest. The aim was to avoid any confusion in our process. What I wrote in my personal capacity then was published in The Chronicle, Daily Guide, Statesman, Myjoyonline, Citifmonline, Peacefmonline etc.



In its subsequent meeting the National Council of the NPP unanimously after a question had been asked and the General Secretary had reiterated the constitutional provision in clear terms, that “every delegate shall vote for only one person”.


This decision of the highest body aside the National Conference cannot be contradicted by any radio or other pronouncement as purported.

In a Good Evening Ghana interviewed with Paul Adom Otchere, the General Secretary repeated that a delegate will vote for one person only and that this is the decision of the National council.


As Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of the NPP I have a binding duty to make the position clear so that there will be NO confusion on Sunday. Any person who votes for more than one person will have his/her ballot spoilt. It cannot count. The peace and unity of the Party is paramount and any last minute confusion should be STOPPED.



Each delegate is required by the NPP Constitution to choose ONE of the contestants as the person he/she prefers. It is the total number of votes each candidate gets that will determine who finally emerges on the list of five.



All delegates, all supervisors of the elections etc are to take note accordingly so as not to engage in any unconstitutional or illegal or improper act that will create unneeded confusion during Sunday’s Voting.



Signed:
Hon. Prof. Mike Oquaye
Chairman
Constitutional and Legal Committee of the NPP
Tel: 0202010101 Email: appiafrica@yahoo.com