The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all prospective parliamentary aspirants, their agents and supporters to immediately cease campaign activities ahead of the party’s parliamentary selection processes.
The directive follows complaints received by the party’s leadership that some members aspiring to contest parliamentary seats have begun campaigning in various constituencies, contrary to the party’s regulations and Code of Conduct.
The party says that the activities risk creating an uneven playing field and undermining the unity and discipline required for the party’s success.
“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.
The party has outlined several activities that prospective parliamentary aspirants must stop immediately as it seeks to regulate the conduct of members ahead of its parliamentary processes.
These include mounting campaign posters, billboards, banners and other branded materials intended to promote prospective candidates.
The directive also prohibits aspirants from organising rallies, meetings with polling station executives or constituency tours for the purpose of soliciting support.
Additionally, the party has banned the distribution of items or other inducements to delegates and party members as part of efforts to secure support for prospective parliamentary candidates.
Paid media and social media advertisements promoting a particular candidature are also prohibited under the directive.
The NPP said the restrictions were intended to ensure that prospective aspirants comply with the party’s internal rules while awaiting the official timetable and guidelines for the parliamentary selection process.
The party has also warned its officers and structures against using their positions or platforms to promote prospective parliamentary aspirants before the official commencement of the process.
According to the statement, party officers at the polling station, electoral area, constituency, regional and national levels, as well as members of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON), are prohibited from posting or promoting any parliamentary aspirant on social media.
The restriction covers platforms such as Facebook, X and Instagram.
The party further directed its officers and members not to facilitate or encourage activities by prospective aspirants that could be considered premature campaigning.
The directive places responsibility on the party’s various organisational structures to ensure that members comply with the rules and that no prospective candidate receives an advantage through unauthorised campaigning.
The NPP has warned that individuals who disregard the directive will face disciplinary action in accordance with the party’s established procedures.
The statement cautioned that such sanctions could affect an individual’s eligibility to contest in the party’s parliamentary selection process.
“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,” the statement said.
The warning signals the party leadership’s intention to enforce its regulations against prospective aspirants and others who may participate in or facilitate prohibited campaign activities.
However, the statement did not specify particular sanctions for individual categories of breaches, leaving the application of disciplinary measures to the party’s established procedures.
The NPP said it would announce the timetable and guidelines for its parliamentary processes in due course.
Until then, prospective aspirants and their supporters are expected to refrain from all activities prohibited under the directive.
The party has instructed constituency and regional executives to ensure strict compliance within their respective jurisdictions.
It is counting on the cooperation of members to maintain discipline and unity as preparations for the parliamentary selection process continue.
The directive forms part of the party leadership’s effort to regulate early campaign activities and ensure that prospective parliamentary aspirants operate within the party’s rules ahead of the formal selection exercise.
By 1960news.com
