The race to succeed President Nana Akufo-Addo as head of the ruling New Patriotic Celebration (NPP) gained traction on Saturday, as ten hopefuls efficiently filed their nomination papers.

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Commerce and Trade Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, Essikado-Ketan MP Joe Ghartey, and former Meals and Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto are among the many potential candidates.

Former Power Minister Boakye Agyarko, former Regional Co-operation Minister Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, former NPP Common Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh, and vitality specialist Kojo Poku spherical out the checklist.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, was the final to file his presidential nomination kinds, with one of many aspirants for the NPP flagbearership, Nana Oppong Odeneho, pulling out of the race.

Earlier than declaring his choice to withdraw from the competition to the NPP Election Committee, he had been voted down within the opinion of many.

Every of the aspirants paid GH¢300,000 as nomination charges along with assembly different necessities outlined by the occasion, after having paid GH¢50,000 every for the nomination kinds.

Nominations had been opened on Might 26, 2023, and the NPP set June 24, 2023 as the ultimate day for the official submitting of nominations for all potential candidates.

On Monday, July 3, 2023, the ten hopefuls are set to face a troublesome nomination listening to, with the Vetting Committee, led by Prof. Mike Aaron Oquaye, doubtless grilling them on their contributions to the occasion, visions, and rightful place within the NPP.

The NPP’s Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, confirmed to the media that 10 aspirants efficiently filed nomination kinds, including that after the vetting course of is accomplished, the occasion would know whether or not a particular electoral faculty might be held.

In response to him, following the occasion’s settlement, if 5 of them are recommended by the vetting committee, there might be no “particular electoral faculty” ballot required to decrease the numbers.

Background

The NPP lately modified the timing of its presidential and orphan constituency primaries for the 2024 common election, scheduling the screening of potential presidential candidates from July 3 to July 6, 2023.

A press release signed by the occasion’s Common Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, defined that the revision was on account of the preparation in direction of the Assin North by-election, as introduced by the Electoral Fee (EC).

In response to the assertion, the occasion revised the timetable at its emergency Steering Committee (SC) assembly on Tuesday, Might 30, 2023, stating that the submission of the Vetting Committee’s Report back to the Nationwide Council by means of the Common Secretary will happen on Monday, July 10, 2023.

It acknowledged that the occasion would publish the vetting report at its Steering Committee Assembly the next day, and that petitions, if any, could be despatched to the Nationwide Presidential Appeals Committee (NPAC) between July 12 and 14, 2023.

The assertion indicated that the NPAC would sit from Monday, July 17 to Tuesday, July 18, 2023, and the Nationwide Council and NEC would meet on July 20, 2023, earlier than the checklist of certified presidential hopefuls is printed on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Balloting for positions on the poll paper will happen on July 24, 2023, adopted by the publishing of the primary discover of ballot on July 25, 2023, and the nationwide congress by the Particular Electoral Faculty on August 26, 2023.

Report on the conduct of the Particular Electoral Faculty to the Nationwide Council by means of the Common Secretary might be completed on August 28, 2023, whereas contemporary balloting of the ultimate 5 certified candidates will happen on August 30, 2023.

Publication of the ultimate discover of ballot is scheduled for August 31, 2023, with the ultimate congress set to come back off Saturday, November 4, 2023 and run off, if any, on November 11, 2023.

The occasion apologised to all stakeholders and people affected by the adjustments, saying, “The occasion regrets any inconvenience these adjustments might trigger all events concerned and additional assures all of its dedication to carry free, honest, peaceable and clear elections.”