On November 4 of this year, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will hold its presidential primary to choose a candidate for the 2024 general election.
If more than five party members run for the position of flagbearer before then, the party will organise a special election for the Electoral College on August 26, 2023.
In order for the national congress to choose a presidential candidate for the party, the number of presidential contenders must be lowered to a minimum of five.
The party's charter
Contrary to 2007, when 17 prominent party members competed in the presidential primary, the NPP constitution has been changed to allow for a maximum of five candidates in the flag bearer election.
"If there are more than five candidates for nomination as the party's presidential candidate, a Special Electoral College shall cast their votes by secret ballot for the first five candidates to be shortlisted," states Article 13(9) of the NPP constitution.
Electoral College
It said that the National Council, the National Executive Committee, all members of the National Council of Elders, and all NPP Members of Parliament would make up the Special Electoral College that would choose the five candidates to run for flagbearer (MPs).
The remaining individuals include three representatives from each of the party's special organs, former national officers, three representatives from each external branch, founding members who participated in the party's registration with the Electoral Commission, and all ministers who have their party cards visible.
The flag bearer post will ultimately be contested by individuals who will be chosen by the Special Electoral College.
In other words, declaring something is one thing; but, the Special Electoral College would decide who was eligible to run in the presidential primary.
Electoral Candidates
Although though Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the vice president, has not yet publicly declared his desire to run in the NPP presidential primary, certain party leaders have either covertly or explicitly begun his campaign.
Leading party members Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a former minister of trade and industry, and Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former minister of food and agriculture, are now the only ones who have formally announced their campaign for flagbearer.
Boakye Agyarko, a former minister of energy, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, an MP for Assin Central, and Kwabena Agyepong, a former presidential spokesperson and party general secretary, round out the group.
The remaining three are Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, a former Minister of State, and Joe Ghartey, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice who is now a member of parliament for Essikado-Ketan. Francis Addai-Nimoh is a former member of parliament for Mampong.
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