The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has embarked on a nationwide vetting of its parliamentary aspirants ahead of the party’s parliamentary primaries slated for November 7, this year.
The exercise, which has begun in the Eastern, Upper East, Central and Upper West regions, will see the vetting of 689 aspirants across the country who have submitted their forms. Out of this, 56 are females.
The aspirants will troop to the regional offices and the party’s headquarters in the coming weeks to face the NDC Election Committee.
All 81 parliamentary aspirants of the party in the Eastern Region turned up at the regional secretariat yesterday to undergo vetting in what promised to be a rather long day.
The official timetable from the regional office stated that the process would begin from 8 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.
According to the Eastern Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Mark-Oliver Kevor, the constituencies in the region had been grouped into six to facilitate the smooth and efficient vetting of the aspirants.
Constituencies The Afram Plains North and South, Abetifi, Mpraeso, Nkawkaw and Abirem constituencies were scheduled to have their vetting from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., to be followed by Achease, Akim Swedru, Ofoase/Ayirebi, Akwatia and Kade.
The third and fourth groups were Asene-Manso Akroso, Akim Oda, Lower West Akim, Upper West Akim, and Nsawam/Adoagyiri, and then Asuogyaman, Lower Manya Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo, Yilo Krobo, Okere, Akuapem South and Akuapem North.
Atiwa West and East, Fanteakwa North and South and Abuakwa North and Abuakwa South formed the sixth group, whose vetting would take place in the evening.
Ayensuano, Suhum, New Juaben North and South aspirants are the last batch and would be vetted at night.
According to Mr Kevor, all constituency chairmen, secretaries, organisers, youth organisers, women’s organisers, treasurers and communication officers were expected to be present at the vetting.
Vetting As of 2:20 p.m. yesterday, 19 aspirants had been vetted. The atmosphere looked festive as supporters of the various aspirants beat drums and sang songs to encourage their preferred aspirants.
There were also on display various party paraphernalia.
Aspirants in the Ashanti, Northern and Western regions will be vetted today, while those in the Volta and Greater Accra regions will be vetted on September 29 and September 30, respectively.
The party is expected to hold presidential and parliamentary primaries on November 7.
Nominations The Northern Region has the highest number of aspirants of 120, followed by Greater Accra with 110; Volta, 97; Eastern, 81; Central and Brong Ahafo, 66 each; Western, 69; Upper East, 44, and Upper West, 35.
Nineteen of the aspirants, some of whom are incumbent MPs, are going unopposed.
President John Dramani Mahama is the only one who filed for the presidency, according to the party.
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