Ayawaso West and Ablekuma North threaten "skirt and blouse"

Accra, April 9, GNA - Hundreds of supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ablekuma North and Ayawaso West Wugoon Constituencies on Wednesday threatened to vote for the party's Presidential candidate and a different parliamentary candidate in their constituencies if the executive manipulated the election process.

They said the voting pattern, popular known as "skirt and blouse" in local parlance, would be used as a means for registering abhorrence at the scheming by leading members of the party who were bent on including the names of Mr Kofi Ofori (Ablekuma North) and Mrs Akosua Frema Opare (Ayawaso West Wuogon) on the electoral ballots.

Ms. Charity Antwi, former Women's Organiser of the Ablekuma North, told the Ghana News Agency that the possible election of the aspiring parliamentary candidate, Mr Ofori would spell doom for the party. "In the interest of the NPP, which is bigger than any individual I appealed to the National Executives, copied Regional Officials and the Vetting Committee challenging the eligibility of Mr Ofori," she noted. She said the inclusion of the aspirant on the official list of contestants for the Constituency was a violation of the electoral laws and the party's constitution. "The man does not hail from the constituency; he has his residence in the Weija Constituency."

Speaking on behalf some polling station chairmen of the Ayawaso West Wugoon, Mr Boakye Yiadom, said the constituents demand a change of parliamentary candidates as the current MP had divided the party. "We the foot soldiers would definitely vote skirt and blouse if the regional and national executives include the current MP who failed to file nomination papers at the close of nomination," he said. He emphasised that they knew only two candidates filed nominations and the MP's failure to adhere to laid down procedure for filing nominations was sign of disrespect to the constituency executives and foot soldiers.

Meanwhile, Mr Abraham Amoakohene, aspiring parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso West Wugoon, has urged the national and regional executives not to violate the NPP Constitution. He reminded the national executives of their resolve not to impose any candidate on members and followers.

Mr Amoakohene urged the leaders to adhere to the NPP's democratic credentials and follow laid down procedures contained in the party's constitution in selecting candidates.

He said the NPP's determination to retain the Ayawaso West Wugoon seat would be in jeopardy "if the constitutional procedure is tampered with".

He also appealed to the executives to be neutral during the process of vetting and holding of the primaries, "since it is a potential source of confusion".