NPP Polls: Declaring candidates to go unopposed undemocratic, chaotic – Political Scientist

Political scientist, Dr. Kwame Asa Asante, says the New Patriotic Party(NPP) must allow for a fair play in their upcoming internal polls giving all aspirants an equal opportunity in the contest slated for April.

The unopposed mantra emerging in some constituencies in the run-up to the NPP parliamentary primaries, according to the political scientist is harmful and divisive and must be discouraged.

“What matters most is for the people to have the right of choosing their own candidates to lead them. That’s crucial, hence imposing one candidate on them is not healthy in our democracy,” he told Kasapa 102.5 FM.

Reports are emerging especially from the Ashanti region as some Regional Executives are alleged to be rooting for their preferred candidates who they claimed have the capacity to boost the party’s chances in the general elections.

For instance, Second National Vice-Chair for New Patriotic Party (NPP), Frederick Fredua Antoh, has allegedly declared the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP), Hon Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu to go unopposed.

Also, the Ashanti regional chairman, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Wontumi recently gave an indication that he’ll ensure that the Member of Parliament for Asante Mampong Constituency, Hon. Ampratwum Sarpong will go unopposed in the upcoming parliamentary primaries.

He told the constituency executives, that the MP is seriously executing his mandate to better the lot of the people in the Constituency and the party and for that matter needs to be protected.

“I’m officially launching Agenda 47/47 and I can see Hon. Ampratwum to be part of the team to win elections 2020/2024 and beyond, so I need him. Tell anybody who wants to contest Hon. Ampratwum, that I Chairman Wontumi came here and told you that, that person should stop and support him because he will not be contested” he charged the party executives while speaking at the commissioning of a 6-Unit classroom block at Kofiase SDA Senior High and Technical School.

But arguing further on the development of Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 FM, Dr. Kwame Asa Asante said political elites must understand that nobody is a repository of wisdom, adding that fronting one candidate in such manner is undemocratic and chaotic.

“Our political system is designed to set equal opportunities for all eligible candidates to contest in elections. It’s important to open up the contest for all to contest,” he added.