NDC begins vetting of aspirants
The Eastern Regional Branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Monday, begun the vetting of contestants for the parliamentary primaries of constituencies it lost in the 2008 elections.
The process was supposed to begin with six constituencies, Abetifi, Suhum, Abuakwa North, Okere, Akwatia and Akropong, but the exercise for Suhum was postponed, because some of the constituency executives did not show up. Eight aspirants, three of whom are women, were vetted.
The process, which would end on Friday, September 30, was chaired by Alhaji Sumaila Mahama, Regional Vice-Chairman of the party. Mr. Matthew Mawuena Doh, Acting Regional Secretary, who spoke to the media after the exercise on Monday, described the process as smooth.
'The first day ended on a very good note, and we expect that the subsequent days will also end the same way,' he said. Mr. Doh said none of the aspirants was disqualified.
In another development, Mr. Nii Sackey, an activist of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has cautioned aspiring parliamentary candidates against vote buying and forcing delegates to swear to deities.
He said the trend of vote buying ought to be averted, as it would not promote internal democracy in the party.
Speaking to the press at Agona Nsaba, Mr. Sackey condemned the alleged decision of some aspirants to offer money to delegates and to compel them to swear to a deity to cast their votes for them during the forthcoming parliamentary primaries.
He said he was also unhappy with the decision to camp delegates before election day, saying that it was against the rules and regulations of the party.
Mr. Sackey appealed to the regional and national executives of the party to intervene to avoid embarrassment and disenchantment during and after the primaries.
He called on the party executives to stay neutral during the campaign for the primaries, to avoid mistrust and agitations.
He urged the aspirants to avoid using state machinery and resources to influence the delegates, since that could create bad blood among the supporters.
Mr. Sackey appealed to aspirants and their supporters to support the winners of the primaries, and come together to campaign and defeat the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the elections.