The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all prospective parliamentary aspirants, their agents and supporters to suspend campaign activities immediately.
It warned that anyone who flouted the directive could face disciplinary action that may affect their eligibility to contest.
A statement issued last Sunday, October 11 and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the party had received several complaints that some members seeking to contest parliamentary primaries had begun campaigning in various constituencies.
It described the activities as a breach of its regulations and code of conduct, warning that they could create an uneven playing field and undermine unity and discipline within the party.
“The party accordingly directs, with immediate effect, that all prospective parliamentary aspirants, their agents and supporters cease all forms of campaign activities,” the statement said.
Activities
The statement said the directive covered a range of activities intended to promote prospective parliamentary candidates and solicit support ahead of the party’s official electoral timetable.
“These include the mounting of posters, billboards, banners and other branded materials, as well as organising rallies, meetings with polling station executives or constituency tours for campaign purposes,” it said.
It said the party also prohibited distributing items or other inducements to delegates and party members, as well as paid media and social media adverts promoting individual aspirants.
The statement warned party officers at all levels against using their positions or social media platforms to promote prospective candidates before the approved campaign period.
It said officers at the polling station, electoral area, constituency, regional and national levels, as well as members of the party’s Tertiary Students Confederacy Network (TESCON), were prohibited from posting content in support of parliamentary aspirants on platforms such as Facebook, X and Instagram.
It said the party had also barred facilitating activities by individuals seeking to contest the party’s parliamentary primaries prematurely.
It warned that prospective aspirants and others who fail to comply with the directive would be dealt with under its established disciplinary procedures.
“Any person who fails to comply will be dealt with in accordance with the party's disciplinary procedures, which may affect their eligibility to contest,” it said.
It tasked constituency and regional executives with ensuring strict compliance with the directive within their respective jurisdictions.
The statement said the party would announce the timetable and guidelines for its parliamentary processes in due course, indicating that the official arrangements for the selection of parliamentary candidates were yet to be communicated.
