We won’t be part of Presidential debate – NPP to NCCE

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dissociated itself from a planned Presidential debate by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) ahead of this year’s general elections.

In a statement signed by the party’s General Secretary, John Boadu, it said it did not know about the said exercise hence, it cannot be a party to it.

“The party, having taken notice of this publication, wishes to respond by, first of all, stating emphatically and for the records that the NPP is completely unaware of the claims by the NCCE, and therefore cannot be said to be a party to any such arrangements.”

Not only did the party dissociate itself from the debate, but it also dissociated itself from all other exercises lined up by the NCCE.

It, however, justified its decision to boycott all other exercises by the NCCE saying the commission’s calendar was not in tune with that of the NPP.

“In the light of the foregoing, the NPP categorically dissociates itself from the purported ‘presidential debates schedules’ unilaterally announced by the NCCE, and appeals to the Commission not to include the NPP in these arrangements unless and until the party so permits” the statement read.

NCCE Debate

The NCCE had announced that it will hold a series of Presidential debates in three zones: Northern, Middle and Southern in September, October and November.

The Commission also said it will organise Parliamentary Candidates’ Debate in all 275 constituencies and undertake door to door/dawn and dusk broadcast on voter turn-out from September to December.

But it is not the first time a political party is boycotting a Presidential debate. In the 2008 and 2012 elections, the National Democratic Congress announced a boycott of a think tank, Institute of Economic Affairs Presidential debates only to have a change of mind in the heat of the campaigns.