The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all candidates to remove all billboards and advertising in public places within national and regional capitals.
The party has also placed a complete ban on excessive noise making and jamborees such as brass-band and other musical groups at the conference venue from 12 midday of Friday July 15, until after the conference which ends on Sunday July 17 2022.
A statement signed by Yaw Buaben Asamoa, Director of Communications banned mobilisation of supporters of candidates to the conference. According to the statement, the display of paraphernalia of candidates within the venue and its environs has also been outlawed. The party has warned aspirants against sharing of personal items of candidates at the conference. It explained that only delegates and accredited persons will be allowed to access the venue as part of strict enforcement of security protocols.
As part of strict enforcement of all COVID-19 protocols, the statement said vaccination cards will be inspected. It cautioned candidates to be circumspect in their choice of slogans, messaging and use of both traditional and social media. The party assured that transportation to the conference venue shall be made available to convey delegates from their hotels and hostels. The party expects all candidates, supporters, party members to observe the additional rules for smooth and successful conference The statement said these additional rules were made by the National Council of the party at its meeting yesterday.
Meanwhile, candidates exhibit opulence in their campaigns risk being sanctioned. The committee has pledged to take care of the cost of accommodation, transportation and feeding of delegates. Addressing the press, the chairman of the committee, Peter Mac Manu indicated that the Police have been engaged to arrest candidates who engage in vote-buying. “All aspirants or their agents are therefore warned not to engage in any untoward behaviour that can be interpreted as bribery,” he said. “The national election has therefore engaged the Ghana Police Service, who will be on the election grounds to strictly enforce the laws and arrest anyone found to be in breach of PNDC Law 284,
” Mr. Mac Manu added. The NPP has in the past been flagged for vote-buying in its internal polls in the past. Any contestant with concerns is advised to contact the National Elections Committee through the Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, with their complaint, “which will be acted upon expeditiously in the interest of fairness and justice” the statement further reads.
Over all, some 6,000 delegates are expected to vote on Saturday 16 July 2022, to elect the NPP’s national officers for the positions of National Chairmanship, First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair, Third Vice-Chair, General Secretary, National Organiser, National Youth Organiser, National Treasurer, National Women’s Organiser and National Nasara Co-Ordinator.
Source: The Finder