Written by Justin Tusoe
Polls
have opened across 105 constituencies across the country as delegates of the
governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) cast their votes to elect parliamentary
candidates in constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament (MPs).
Voting
officially commenced at 7:00 am although some constituencies have experienced
delays as a result of accreditation issues. Polls are expected to close at 2:00
pm, followed by the commencement of the vote-counting process.
The
party has already elected candidates for constituencies with opposition sitting
MPs, known as orphan constituencies.
Out
of approximately 376 aspirants who filed nominations, 326 individuals were
cleared to contest, with 33 running unopposed.
Meanwhile, about
18 experienced MPs, including prominent figures like Majority Leader and MP for
Suame Constituency, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, First Deputy Speaker and MP for
Kwabre Constituency, Joe Osei Owusu, and flagbearer aspirant and MP for Assin
Central Kennedy Agyapong, have all announced their decision not to seek
re-election in the upcoming 2024 polls.
Each
of the 105 constituencies will have one voting centre, although additional voting
centres may be established by the Electoral Commission (EC) in constituencies
with many delegates to expedite the process.
The
elections are expected to be fiercely contested, with particular attention on
the Dome Kwabenya, Tano North, Bekwai, and Bantama constituencies due to
localized contextual
issues.
However,
the election will not take place in six constituencies with sitting MPs due to
court injunctions and other internal issues yet to be resolved by the national
leadership of the party.
These
constituencies include: Mampong and Fomena in Ashanti Region, Binduri in the
Upper East, Agona West in the Central Region, Akwapim South in the Eastern
Region, and Sunyani East in the Bono Region.
Meanwhile,
the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua has warned delegates not to take
videos and photos since the police will be on site to enforce electoral laws.
Editing by Emmanuel Koranteng Asomani and Peter Agbesi Adivor
Follow the African
Elections Project on Facebook and Twitter @Africanelection for more updates.