NEC Determines Who Contest Seats - Says Commey

The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Lord Commey, has said it is the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party that determines who should contest parliamentary seats on the ticket of the party.

He stressed that the right of every party member who satisfied the conditions of the party's constitution to contest a parliamentary seat would not be infringed upon, "but the determination of suitability remains the prerogative of the NEC".

The National Organiser was briefing the press in Koforidua prior to the commencement of the vetting of parliamentary aspirants in the Eastern Region.

He said much as the party promised to be fair to all aspirants, it would not compromise on its firm stance and declared that the vetting exercise for this year would be more vigorous and intense than the previous ones to ensure that suitable candidates were selected.

"Our party suffered in the past when we did not carry out further checks on the background of some parliamentary aspirants. We have learnt lessons from those mistakes," he said.

Mr Commey said whoever sought to become a parliamentarian on the ticket of the NPP must satisfy the requirements of the national constitution and the NPP's rules and regulations, in addition.

He explained that the party's internal democracy was so firm and beautiful that "anyone who wants to contest on our ticket must satisfy our standards and respect the right of the NEC in determining the suitability of a candidate for parliament".

The Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng, said aspirants in 10 constituencies would be vetted on the first day, while those of the remaining 12 would take their turn on Monday.
 
He said a team made up of national, regional and constituency executives would vet all the 65 aspirants, including sitting Members of Parliament in the region.