By William Yaw Owusu
Monday April 26, 2010
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has set ground rules for all members particularly those aspiring to become the party’s flagbearer in the 2010 crunch general elections
A document titled ‘New Patriotic Party rules and regulations for aspiring presidential candidates - 2010 elections’ explained “the party's upcoming flag bearer-ship race has generated a lot of interest and enthusiasm among would be aspirants and in order not to create unnecessary tension, anxiety and disquiet in the body politic of our dear party, there is the need for a code of ethics to guide the activities of all would be aspirants.”
The process for the election of the party's presidential candidate shall be conducted by the National Council of the party or by authorities mandated by the National Council with the support as and when necessary of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
The document said “these rules and regulations are to be supported by the laws, rules and regulations governing National Election where they apply unless specifically denied by the party's own rules. The rules and regulations may be clarified or added to by the Elections Committee of the party when such additions are deemed helpful to a free, fair, transparent and acceptable process.”
The document cautioned aspirants, their agents and supporters and accredited officers to desist from statements and acts of omission and commission that overtly undermine the NPP, and the unity and integrity of the party at every level.”
“Aspirants and their agents must desist from vilification of other contestants as it has the tendency to set Party leaders in conflict with each other.
It said any aspirant or anybody on behalf of the aspirant who calls for a party constituency meeting “must necessarily seek clearance from the Regional leadership and copy of such programme be sent to the National Secretariat of the party.”
Furthermore, “Aspirants must desist from making any policy statement in the name of the party except where policy statements are already adopted by the party.”
On violence and acts of intimidation the party said “it shall have no place in the on-going campaign and all aspirants and their agents shall respect this rule.”
It said aspirants must not present themselves nationally and internationally as representative of the party until elected, adding “National, Regional, Constituency, Polling station officials, Overseas Branch (International) as well as Members of Parliament, ought to refrain from openly declaring their support of any branch, constituency, or organ for any individual candidate or campaigning for them.”
It added that no National, Constituency, Regional office, Polling Station Officials, Overseas Branch shall issue a press statement in support of any candidate.
“Aspirants, party executives or their agents and delegates should refrain from what has become known as 'CAMPING' i.e. depriving other contestants access to delegates so camped. Sanctions shall be applied appropriately.”
It said beyond declaration of interest to run as candidates, aspirants must desist from holding themselves out as though they had been nominated or elected as party's representative for the presidential race, adding “aspirants must be conscious of the fact that unduly influencing the party's democratic institutions with money has the potential to undermine the democratic credentials of the party.”
Any breach of the above guidelines shall constitute misconduct under the Party's Constitution and shall attract the appropriate sanctions.
Nomination forms may be collected from the office of the General Secretary at the party's Headquarters by an aspirant or his/her agent, when authorized by signed letter so to do, during working hours from March 31, 2010 on Payment of a non-refundable fee of GH¢1 ,000.00. Completed nomination forms shall be submitted to the General Secretary at the Party's Headquarters by close of work Friday May 14, 2010.
It said “the selection or election of a flagbearer is an important element in the process of wining power. It is therefore incumbent on all parties to ensure that the process strengthens the party and helps to make it more competitive electorally.
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