The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Ken Ohene Agyapong has said that his decision to contest in the flagbearer race of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is not to eventually throw in the towel and give his support to any of the other aspirants.

He says he is going all out till the end of the contest.

He said this when he received his nomination forms at his Kencity Office.

The forms were presented to him by his campaign manager, Mr Kwame Owusu who was accompanied by some high profile members of the campaign.

Receiving the forms at brief ceremony, Mr Agyapong expressed his gratitude to the team for going according to his wishes.

He noted that the picking of the nomination forms should put to rest all speculations on whether he was contesting on working for somebody.

Mr Agyapong said “I think this should inform everybody that I am not working for anybody and I want to assure you that I am going all out till the end.”

He assured his supporters that all the necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure that the filling of the forms were completed on time.

He said it was time to reset the country on the path of growth and progress and would do that if he is entrusted with the position of flagbearer and subsequently the President of Ghana.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has dismissed a claim made by the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi who had alleged a collaboration between the NPP and the EC for the purpose of transferring the vote of one Charles Opoku to the Assin North Constituency to enable him to contest the upcoming by-election in the said constituency.

The Commission said this is not true.

Sammy Gyamfi said in a statement that “this illegal move is to aid the said Charles Opoku to contest in the NPP Parliamentary primaries to select a candidate for the upcoming Assin North by-election.

“Our unimpeachable sources have revealed that contrary to the clear requirement on the nomination form for the Assin North by-election, which demands that a candidate in the election must be a registered voter in Assin North, the said Charles Opoku is not a registered voter in the Assin North Constituency.”

But the EC in a statement said “For the records, the EC has not received any such request from the NPP to transfer the votes of any person. This allegation is false and a figment of the author’s imagination. As usual, it is aimed at maligning the integrity of the Electoral Commission.

“Per Article 94 of the 1992 Constitution, a person does not need to be a registered voter in a particular constituency to enable him/ her to contest an election in that constituency.”

Below is the full statement by the EC

RE: NPP AND THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION IN A PLOT TO ILLEGALLY INSERT THE NAME OF AN UNQUALIFIED NPP PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE INTO THE ASSIN NORTH VOTERS’ REGISTER

The Electoral Commission’s attention has been drawn to a misleading press statement attributed to the National Communications Officer of the NDC alleging collaboration between the NPP and the EC for the purpose of transferring the vote of one Charles Opoku to the Assin North Constituency to enable him to contest the upcoming by-election in the said constituency.

We wish to state that this is not true.

For the records, the EC has not received any such request from the NPP to transfer the votes of any person. This allegation is false and a figment of the author’s imagination. As usual, it is aimed at maligning the integrity of the Electoral Commission.

Per Article 94 of the 1992 Constitution, a person does not need to be a registered voter in a particular constituency to enable him/ her to contest an election in that constituency.

Per the Constitution, simply hailing from a constituency entitles a person to contest an election in that constituency so long as the person is:

A Ghanaian

Twenty-one years and above

Of sound mind

And a registered voter

In the event that a person who wishes to contest in a particular constituency does not hail from that constituency, that person will be eligible to contest if he/she is ordinarily resident in that constituency or has been a resident there for a total period of not less than five years out of the ten years immediately preceding the election for which he/she stands.

We make this point to buttress the fact that a person who hails from a constituency per the Constitution need not be a registered voter in the constituency he /she wishes to contest in. Simply hailing from there is enough.

As such there is no reason to engage in transfers as alleged by the NDC Communications Officer.

It is a well-known fact that the current Commission has been the most transparent and accountable in its operations. The Commission has carried out its mandate in strict consonance with the Constitution.

To date, the NDC has not proved a single allegation they have made against the EC.

The continuous maligning of state institutions such as the EC by the NDC only weakens and undermines our democracy.

The EC will continue to uphold transparency, fairness, and integrity in all its operations. We urge the good people of Ghana to trust us to continue to deliver credible elections.

In a bold declaration, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia expressed his belief in securing victory in the flagbearership race of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) slated for November 2023.

According to him, he will break the eight-year presidential term limit in Ghana, adding that he will occupy the esteemed Jubilee House come 2025.

Addressing a crowd of enthusiastic supporters alongside Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Letsa, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged and appreciated their unwavering support.

Proclaiming to resounding cheers and applause, he stated, “I want you to know that I appreciate your support, we are going to break the eight. First of all, we are going to have to go and file for the flagbearership, which I am going to do.”

This announcement carries immense significance, signaling a notable development in the internal politics of the NPP as preparations for the upcoming 2024 presidential elections intensify.

On May 30, 2023, Dr. Bawumia’s campaign team, comprising Sammi Awuku, Fred Oware, and Ayisi Boateng, collected his nomination forms from the party’s headquarters, underscoring the significance of his candidacy. Widely regarded as one of the frontrunners in the race, his aspirations have gained considerable momentum.

In recent weeks, Dr. Bawumia has embarked on an extensive nationwide campaign, engaging with party executives, grassroots supporters, and influential figures in various communities.

The Vice President’s campaign has centered around showcasing his impressive track record in implementing key government programs, including the successful One-District-One-Factory initiative and the transformative Planting for Food and Jobs program.

Dr. Bawumia’s determination to secure victory in the flagbearership race is underpinned by his vision to transcend the traditional eight-year limit, symbolizing a renewed era of leadership and progress. With aspirations to assume the highest office in the land, he emphasized the importance of unwavering support from his followers.

The NPP’s upcoming flagbearership race promises to be an intriguing contest that will shape the party’s future trajectory. As Dr. Bawumia’s campaign gains momentum, his economic expertise, advocacy for digitalization, and ability to effectively communicate government policies position him as a formidable contender.

With the nation eagerly observing the dynamics of the race, the NPP’s internal politics take on heightened significance, setting the stage for a transformative and consequential journey towards the 2024 general elections.