The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has established the schedule for its parliamentary primary in anticipation of a by-election in the Manhyia South Constituency of the Ashanti region.
This by-election is necessitated by the nomination of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister for Energy and current MP for the constituency, as the presidential running mate for the NPP’s flagbearer in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Dr. Prempeh, who has served as the MP for Manhyia South since 2008 and has been re-elected in 2012, 2016, and 2020, is also the NPP’s Parliamentary Candidate for this year’s election. His nomination as the running mate has created a vacancy that must be filled through a by-election.
In a statement released by the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Friday, July 5, the party announced that nominations for the primary will open on Monday, July 8, 2024, and close on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
The primary election itself is scheduled for Sunday, July 14, 2024.
The statement detailed the requirements for aspiring parliamentary candidates, who must obtain a nomination form after paying a non-refundable application fee of GH₵3,000.00.
Additionally, to successfully file their nomination, candidates must pay a non-refundable filing fee of GH₵35,000.00 via Bankers Draft made payable to the NPP National Headquarters in Accra.
In an effort to promote inclusivity, the NPP has announced a 50% rebate on the filing fees for women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Consequently, these candidates will pay a reduced filing fee of GH₵17,500.00. The party clarified that youth are defined as individuals between the ages of 18 and 40.
As the NPP prepares for its primary, the Electoral Commission has yet to announce the official date for the by-election.
