NPP forms 9-member committee to vet parliamentary candidates' documents before EC filing

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has constituted a nine-member committee to scrutinize documents submitted by all its parliamentary candidates ahead of the filing process for the 2024 general elections.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 23, and signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said the committee has been tasked with "vetting all candidates' documents to ensure Electoral Commission (EC) compliance before the filling process."

The committee which is chaired by Mr. Frank Davies will among other things "verify all documents submitted by each candidate.”

It will also “verify that each document complies with the regulations and requirements of the Electoral Commission," and "gather and present a comprehensive report detailing each candidate's compliance status."

According to the statement, the committee will also "communicate with the candidates to address any identified issues during the screening process."

The vetting process is scheduled to commence immediately today, Tuesday, July 23, according to the statement.

The committee is expected to submit its report within the next two weeks ahead of the filing deadline.

The NPP seeks to retain or improve on its current parliamentary seat strength of 137[plus one independent member] in the upcoming elections.

Briefing Parliament on preparations made so far for the upcoming polls on Friday, July 19, the EC chair Jean Mensa disclosed the filing fees for presidential candidates is set at GHS100,000, and for parliamentary candidates, at GHS10,000.

According to the EC, in a move to encourage greater participation, particularly from underrepresented groups, the Commission, will waive 25 per cent of the filing fees for women and Persons With Disabilities(PWDs).