Former Trade and Industry Minister, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku has demanded that the New Patriotic Party spells out precise rules and regulations on the “dos and don’ts” of congress day when the party gathers on December 22 to elect a Presidential candidate. Apraku, who is himself aspiring to the post, says this will ensure a free, fair and transparent process to elect a flagbearer accepted by all. Dr. Apraku who is contesting the position for the second time, told Joy News after he was vetted at the party’s former headquarters in Accra that instances in the past had not been fair to all contestants. Dr. Apraku also wants the party executives to make available names of the delegates early enough to enable aspirants to cross check names of the delegates. “I think we need to address issues that will ensure the greatest of transparency in the process. I sincerely believe that one; there should be clear laid down rules in respect of the whole electoral process. In that sense I mean how policies are made, there should be greater consultation with aspirants; I have already suggested and I want to re-echo it – that there should be an electoral committee set-up by the party which will work closely with representatives of all the aspirants that are paid up and are considered to be officially certified. “The should be a mechanism, a clear mechanism for the voters register to come in early enough for constituencies to verify and to ascertain whether the names they submitted are the names that are finally printed out in the voters register that is consistent with national standards.” Dr. Apraku said issues dealing with the printing and security of the ballot papers should all be thrashed before the D-day to ensure that nothing is tempered with and that there is great transparency in the entire process. Former Majority Leader in Parliament, Felix Owusu-Agyapong, who is also contesting the post, was more concerned with the future and thought all card bearing party members in good standing should have the opportunity to decide who leads the party. He said however that until the party’s membership records can support such a venture, the party will have to make do with what pertains now, which will disenfranchise several key members of the party, including President Kufuor, the NPP Chairman and Members of Parliament because they are not delegates and therefore have no votes, a situation he called a second best approach. (You can play the attached audio to listen to Dr. Apraku)