Over one thousand members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ejisu Constituency who are delegates are voting in a primary election to elect a replacement for the deceased Member of Parliament for the area.
The incumbent MP, Dr John Kumah died aged 45 after short illness.
The 1,081 delegates have to choose from nine contenders, including former President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwasi Nyantakyi.
The rest are; Kwabena Boateng, Dr Evans Duah, Klinsman Karikari Mensah, Helena Mensah, Abena Pokuaa Boaitey, Portia Acheampong Abronye, Aaron Prince Duah and Maame Yaa Aboagye.
Ejisu constituency: Majority of delegates are ready to elect me – Kwesi Nyantakyi
Earlier, 3news’ Ibrahim Abubakar reported that each of the nine aspirants is convinced of victory based on earlier engagement with delegates.
“We’ve allowed an open exercise so that nobody will impute an idea of imposition of a candidate on the constituents. And so, as a party, we took the decision as long as prospective candidates meet the article 94 of Ghana’s Constitution they will be allowed to be in the contest”, NPP Director of Elections, Evans Nimako told the media after the vetting.
After the balloting, Kwabena Boateng, a legal practitioner picked the number 1 spot, followed by Dr Evans Duah, a lecturer and at Akenten Appiah Minkah University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development.
The third position was picked by the Ejisu Constituency Second Vice-Chairman, Klinsman Karikari Mensah.
Presiding Member of Ejisu Municipal Assembly, Helena Mensah, Abena Pokuaa Boaitey, and Portia Acheampong Abronye picked the number 4, 5, and 6 place on the ballot respectively.
Former GFA boss and legal practitioner, Kwasi Nyantakyi selected his favorite 7th position whilst Aaron Prince Duah and Maame Yaa Aboagye secured the 8th and 9th place on the ballot.
For each of the nine aspirants, their chosen number signify victory.
“I indicated to you when I submitted my form that I’m the Cristiano Ronaldo of Ejisu and God had perfected it by ensuring I picked number 7”, Kwesi Nyantakyi explained to journalists.
“The people are very aware of the monies that will come to Ejisu and there are indications of that already. But they will vote for who they know and who has worked. That’s why I picked the ultimate which is number one”, Kwabena Boateng stated with confidence.
“Number 4 is a very lucky number for me and this means I’m on my way to moving to MP (Member of Parliament) from PM (Presiding Member)”, Helena Mensah said.
“I’ve been the number two for the Late Dr John Kumah. Number two is a two-sure number that signifies that we are going to win the election”, Dr Evans Duah noted.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission (EC) has set Tuesday, April 30, to hold the Ejisu Constituency by-election.
The winner of today’s election will have to contend with a former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Constituency, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, who has declared his intention to contest the upcoming by-election scheduled for April 30, 2024 as an independent candidate.
According to a statement issued by the former MP’s camp on April 12, 2024, the party’s failure to address serious issues with the voter album and other irregularities noticed during the Ejisu polling station executive elections is what led him to decide to contest in the election as an independent candidate.
“The genesis of this decision traces back to the tumultuous Ejisu polling station executive elections, marred by irregularities that would have been deemed unacceptable in any democratic society. Rather than adhering to the democratic process, the late MP of Ejisu, with the assistance of the Regional Executives of the NPP, arbitrarily handpicked individuals to fill key positions, a blatant disregard for the party’s constitution and its fundamental principles”, the statement noted.
Ejisu By-Election: Former Ejisu MP goes independent in upcoming by-election
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