Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a member of the opposition New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Executive Committee, has supported suggestions that the elephant family consider recalling all suspended individuals to rejoin the party.
The former NPP general secretary stated that he believes in the philosophy that political parties are built on the strength of numbers, and that parties should avoid activities that could easily cause members to leave the party on a negative note.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he admitted that discipline is also essential in ensuring that structures and regulations are followed.
”However, suspension is not the only way to discipline people in a party when party rules are broken. In addition to the suspension, we could consider prohibiting them from running in internal elections or imposing other sanctions. The suspended voter has family or relatives who are also voters. My opinion does not imply that I am encouraging misbehaviour. The majority of these forms of misbehaviour that lead to suspension are related to internal electoral matters.”
He argued that if members feel part of the tradition, they will not litigate on issues, especially losing an election, but support the party in securing victory with whoever is elected.
Mr Agyepong was reacting to the reforms he has proposed to the party as part of efforts to expand its electoral college.
He wants the NPP to scrap Article 13(9), which directs the special electoral college to limit presidential candidates to five.
He also requests that the party form a caucus in each of the 276 constituencies consisting of all current and former party office holders in the constituency.
He proposes that the caucus include Members of Parliament, DCEs/MCEs, Constituency Executives, Electoral Area Coordinators, Polling Station Executives, Patrons, and Elders.
To reduce tension associated with the numerous elections the party conducts ahead of the presidential candidate election, he has proposed that the presidential primaries be held first, following the amendment of the electoral college.
According to him, the proposal aligns with Article 13(1) of the party’s current constitution and promotes a more logical and less contentious electoral timeline.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
