Prior to the vetting of New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidates, the committee's chairman, Rev. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, gave the assurance that the committee will give each candidate a fair hearing and ensure a free, transparent, and fair vetting process.
Prof. Oquaye noted in an interview with the Daily Graphic last Saturday that in addition to making sure the candidates met the requirements set forth in the 1992 Constitution, the committee would conduct a comprehensive vetting process to make sure the candidates also met the requirements of the NPP.
He stated that the committee would want to know, for example, whether the applicant was a registered voter and had two citizenships.
According to him, this included whether the candidate was a registered party member, how long and in what capacity he had served the party, and the contribution the person had made to the organization.
The committee will also discuss matters that might affect the candidate's eligibility and the chances of the party overall, according to Prof. Oquaye.
It should be remembered that the committee's conclusions and recommendations will be sent to the National Council, which has the authority to fully adopt, partially change, or completely reject the findings, he said.
Aspirants
The NPP's vetting committee is scheduled to meet with two of the front-runners for the role of party flag bearer for the 2024 presidential elections today.
At various intervals commencing at 10 a.m., John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and third candidate Kwadwo Poku will appear before the Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye Committee.
Three additional candidates will compete on Tuesday, July 4, 2023: Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the NPP's member of parliament for Assin Central; Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former general secretary; and Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, a former energy minister.
On July 5, 2023, three further flag-bearer candidates—Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Joe Ghartey, the NPP's representative for Essikado-Ketan—will run, followed by Francis Addai-Nimoh on July 6.
On July 10, 2023, the committee is anticipated to deliver its findings to the National Executive Committee via the General Secretary.
Revised timelines
The publishing of the vetting report will be discussed at a steering committee meeting on July 11, 2023, in accordance with the party's updated schedule for its internal elections.
The National Presidential Appeals Committee would also meet on July 17 and July 18, 2023, to address any petitions. It then set the dates of July 12 through July 14, 2023, for the submission of any petitions.
To adopt the report, the National Council and National Executive Committee will meet on July 20, 2023. On July 21, 2023, the list of qualifying candidates for president will be made public.
The first notice of poll is scheduled for Tuesday, July 25, 2023, while voting for positions on the ballot will take place on Monday, July 24.
A Special Electoral College will be conducted on August 26, 2023, to reduce the number of qualifying candidates to five if there are more than five.
The national congress to elect the flag bearer will occur on November 4, 2023, with a run-off election, if necessary, scheduled for November 11, 2023. A new balloting of the last five qualifying candidates will take place on August 28, 2023, with the final notice of poll set for August 31, 2023.
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