The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Western Region has successfully ended its vetting of aspirants who expressed interest in contesting for various positions in the party.
A total of 35 candidates successfully filed their nomination forms.
NDC’s Western Region Communications Officer Richard Kirk Mensah tells the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa morning show Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson that three members of parliament filed unopposed at the close of nominations.
“As at the close of filing of nomination, 35 candidates successfully brought back their nomination forms,” he said.
“Out of the number, three sitting Members of Parliament, Isaac Adjei Mensah of Wassa East, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah of Ellembelle, and Wisdom Cudjoe of Prestea Huni Valley Constituency went unopposed.”
He adds that some aspirants willingly pulled out from the race along the line.
According to him, two of the candidates who filed their nominations were disqualified after they appeared before the vetting committee.
“We began the vetting process and along the line, some aspirants pulled out from the race for reasons best known to them. Two of the candidates, George Dadzie from Amenfi West and Frank Kofi Pinto from Kwesimintsim were disqualified whilst two of the candidates have been referred to Accra for further investigations.
“After all, only two were disqualified, George Dadzie Junior from Amenfi West and Frank Kofi Pinto from Kwesimintsim. Two of the candidates have been referred to headquarters for further investigations,” he indicated.
He adds that one of the disqualified candidates contested in 2018 at the Shama Constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as Nasara Coordinator and that makes his candidature questionable.
“There was a petition against Ing. Frank Kofi Pinto in Kwesimintsim. He contested for the NPP in the Shama Constituency as Nasara Coordinator in 2018. That is not even a problem, but before anyone can contest in any election of NDC, he/she has to be in good standing for four years. He fell short of that and so he has to be disqualified. But there is room for appeal for anyone who feels dissatisfied,” he added.
The primaries will be held on Saturday, May 13.
In the meantime, three constituencies including Tarkwa Nsuaem, Evalue Gwira, and Amenfi East have been put on hold.
By Eric Nana Gyetuah|Connect FM|3news.com|Ghana