Commey cautions aspirants against brewing confusion in the party

Bolgatanga, June 13, GNA - Mr Lord Commey, National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Wednesday cautioned parliamentary aspirants to take the outcome of this year's primaries in good faith and to avoid acts that wood foment confusion and division within the party. He said the over-riding objective was to win as many seats as possible in the 2008 polls and that the NPP was strategising to put forth marketable candidates who could easily win their constituency seats and facilitate the attainment of ultimate victory.

Mr Commey was addressing aspirants and constituency executives of the party in Bolgatanga prior to the commencement of a vetting exercise for candidates who had filed to contest the 2008 parliamentary election on the ticket of the NPP in the Upper East Region. In all, 26 applicants are vying for parliamentary slots in the Region's 13 constituencies.

Mr Commey pointed out that even though Chapter 10 of the 1992 Constitution gave every Ghanaian the right to contest election to any political office, the position of parliamentary candidate for a party was not an automatic right.

"It is like applying for a job, and in this case it is within the authority of the party to determine the suitability or otherwise of each aspirant in accordance with the criteria laid down by the party's constitution," he said.

The National Organiser indicated that by Article 11 of the NPP's constitution it was only applicants who were known members of the party for at least two years and who had fulfilled their obligations to the party among other things, that qualified to contest for the parliamentary slot.

"Aspirants should be able to satisfy their constituency, regional and the national executives that they have fulfilled all the necessary requirements stipulated in the constitution of the party." In a welcoming speech, the Regional Chairman Mr Ahmed Mahmuud, stressed the need for regular interaction among members as a mechanism for confidence building within the party.

He urged members to eschew petty personal squabbles and to stay focused on the party's top priority of winning more voters for a resounding victory in next year's polls.

Also present at the meeting were Mrs Agnes Okudzeto, First National Vice-Chairperson of the NPP and Madam Rita Asobayire, National Women's Organiser.