The General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, says if by July 3rd nominations received by the party are more than five, it will postpone the presidential primary to August 28. The party is expected to hold the presidential election on July 3, 2010. Disclosing the above on Asempa FM’s current affairs programme ‘Ekosii Sen’ Mr Owusu Afriyie noted that by the revised constitution of the party, five persons are to vie for the presidential slot. He explained that the postponement would allow a special electoral college to shortlist the candidates to the required five. Sir John as he is popularly called said the move does not in any way amounts to kowtowing to persons and individuals who had consistently being advocating for an early congress, adding that the present arrangement is in consonance with the dictates of the NPP’s constitution. But in a sharp response to the announced arrangement, an aide to Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Mr. Maxwell Kofi Juma, says the move is on a bad note. Mr. Kofi Juma argued the date is not only unsuitable but an idea that will not allow the aspirants enough time to campaign. He explained that the expanded electoral college of the party was done to allow for a greater participation of the broader masses and insisted that the decision taken by the National Executive Council (NEC) will not give the electoral college a chance to do a fair assessment of the candidates. The Asokwa MP also contended that the month of July will not give the party enough attention, fearing that since it will coincide with the World Cup to be held in South Africa, the party’s election is likely to be subdued. Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Danquah Institute, proponents of an early congress, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko has hailed the decision of the NEC. Speaking on the same programme Mr. Asare Otchere Darko said the position of the National Executive Council will in no way be an advantage to any candidate, but suggested that the party must in the mean time take steps to ensure that the process of the filing of the nominations is carried out in an atmosphere of brotherliness and cost effective. He asked the party to organize regional campaign platforms for all the candidates to cut down on cost and bring camaraderie in the impending election. Story by Kojo Asare-Baffour Acheampong/Asempa 94.7FM