All Eight-One parliamentary primary aspirants of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Eastern Region on Monday signed documents of commitment which bind them to embark on campaigns devoid of vilification.
The undertaking also mandates the aspirants to ensure that their actions and inactions do not create divisions in the party. It also reaffirms the party’s constitution which prohibits constituencies, regional and national executives from campaigning for any aspirant.
The 81 parliamentary hopefuls out of the 89 who picked nominations forms were able to file by close of nomination last Friday in the Eastern Region.
Out of the number, only nine female aspirants successfully filed as against 72 male aspirants. The aspirants included two deputy ministers, seven incumbent Members of Parliament, two regional executives, 11 Municipal and District Chief Executives and five former Municipal and District Chief Executives.
Speaking to the DAILY HERITAGE after the ceremony in Koforidua, the Eastern regional secretary of the NDC, Mark Oliver Kevor, explained that, “we decided to look at ways to manage the election processes, so first of all, it is a confidence building mechanism to make sure that all stakeholders are able to build mutual respect and self-confidence among each other so that at the end of the day, we would be able to behave responsibly.”
Mr. Kevor added that, “the undertaking was made up of aspects of the party’s constitution put together so we believe it is innovation to free, fair and decorous campaign.”
He stated that, aspirants who breach the agreement would be sanctioned accordingly. “If you go contrary to the undertaking, it is a clear breach of the party's constitution which may attract suspension or dismissal depending on the gravity of offense and once you are suspended, you become unfit to contest any election in the party.”
Shirley Nana Ampem, who is contesting the Lower West Akyem primary and one of the nine women who successfully filed their nominations to contest in the region, hailed the decision of the regional executives which according to her, is a confidence booster to the female aspirants since they are mostly the vulnerable in political vilification which discourages many in taking part in active politics.
Kofi Adams and Solomon Nkansah, national organizer and national communications director of NDC respectively, were present to witness the ceremony.
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