NPP says it has a programme for primaries

Accra (Greater Accra), 17th June ?99 ?

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) said on Wednesday that it has set the end of September for the completion of the establishment of party structures, after which election of its parliamentary candidates for next year's election would be held.

The deadline affects constituencies, where the NPP has no sitting members of parliament, a statement signed in Accra by Mr S. A. Odoi-Sykes, National Chairman, said.

The statement said the process has been deferred for constituencies, where the NPP has sitting parliamentarians.

"It has never been the party's decision, and it is, therefore, untrue, that the NPP is 'offering automatic choice of contesting on its ticket' to sitting MPs 'without going through the normal election procedure."

The statement, which denied media reports of this offer to siting MPs said the NPP has always maintained that it is democratic and would never cut corners in its practice of democracy.

"It is irksome to the party when individuals attempt to paint it as what it is not.

"The NPP wishes to urge the mass media to heed its warnings about consulting so-called leading members, when there are officers to consult for information."