Politics of Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Source: GNA

CPP embarks on biometric registration

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) on Tuesday outlined operational blueprint to revitalize and expand its membership base to ensure that the party becomes vibrant and appealing to the Ghanaian electorates in 2016.

The party has therefore set in motion modalities to register its members through the biometric data processing as part of preparation towards polling station, constituency, regional and national delegates’ conference to elect officers to stir its affairs.

Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, General Secretary of the CPP, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, explained that the party would embark on a new exercise of placing all their membership nationwide into a biometric database.

He stated that, the updated delegates’ list would enhance accountability and transparency, and ensure effective way of dues payments and other political engagement through electronic methods.

Mr Greenstreet said the party would roll-out elections timetable for the various levels which would be crowned with a Special National Delegates Congress to elect a Flag bearer for Elections 2016.

“As part of our in-house activities the party will hold polling station, electoral area, constituency, regional and national elections within the year, to elect executives to help promote the agenda of the party towards the 2016 general elections,” he stated.

He called on party members, especially executives, to work towards maintaining the party structures and embark on a membership drive.

Mr Greenstreet urged all CPP members to partake in party activities at all levels, as well as maintain the party's focus of dealing with issues that faced the ordinary Ghanaian.

He explained that in accordance with CPP amended constitution adopted in 2012; “there shall be a National Delegates Congress of the Party every four years to elect National Officers, not later than 12 months after the last National General Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

“Whenever the National Delegates Congress cannot be held for any stated reasons, the tenure of office of the National Officers shall continue until such a time that the National Delegates Congress is held.”

On the election of a Flag bearer for Elections 2016, Mr Greenstreet said the party’s constitution, stipulates that; “a National Delegates Congress may be held 24 months before the next Presidential and Parliamentary elections if the Party is not in Power. But where the Party is in power, the Presidential candidate shall be elected not earlier than 12 months prior to the next Presidential and Parliamentary elections.”

On the tenure of officers, he said the CPP Constitution mandates them to hold office for a term of four years, and that each officer was entitled to serve a maximum of two-terms of four years in each position, upon re-election, but not more than eight years in total.

The CPP General Secretary said the national leadership through the Central Committee was working around the clock to ensure that the party became one of the leading contenders for election 2016.

He urged the media not to rush the CPP for Congress, adding, “our constitution is different and unique from other political parties.”