With the Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election scheduled for 3 March, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is expected to conclude its internal process for selecting a candidate today, Monday, January 26, party officials have confirmed.
The decision follows an announcement by the Electoral Commission (EC) declaring the seat vacant after the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure, in line with Article 112(5) of the Constitution.
According to the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP, Divine Otoo Aghorhom, the party has opted against holding an open primary, choosing instead to rely on internal consultations as a mark of respect and expediency.
He explained that after briefing the National Executive Committee (NEC) on the preferences of constituency executives last week, party leadership approved the formation of a special committee to complete the selection process.
“I presented the constituency’s position to NEC, and they decided to set up a committee to manage the process,” Mr Aghorhom told journalists.
He noted that the committee is meeting on Monday and will be guided by the party’s former General Secretary, who is expected to attend the meeting.
“We are fielding a candidate, but unlike the NDC, we will not be conducting primaries,” he added.
On potential contenders, Mr Aghorhom revealed that two aspirants—one male and one female—are being considered, though constituency executives have already settled on a preferred candidate.
“The executives have agreed on one candidate, and his name has been forwarded to NEC. He is the preferred choice at the constituency level,” he said.
The committee’s task, he explained, is not only to formally endorse the candidate but also to build consensus across the constituency to ensure party unity ahead of the by-election.
“By the close of Monday, we expect to confirm our candidate and roll out constituency-wide engagements,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the EC has opened the nomination window for prospective candidates. Nominations will be received from 9 February to 11 February at the EC’s Ayawaso East Municipal Office in Accra.
Nomination forms will be available on the EC’s website from 16 January to 11 February, with candidates or their representatives required to submit completed forms in person within the stipulated period.
