Five members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who have shown interest in the Abuakwa North constituency primary have been cleared.

They will contest the Eastern Region seat on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 for by-elections on March 29.

The seat became vacant after MP for the constituency Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu was killed at his home on February 9.

Initially six candidates were vetted on Sunday to contest the election, but one person stepped down.

Regional First Vice Chairman of the party, Alhaji Umar Bodinga told journalists a legal practitioner, Kay Amoah, stepped down to throw his weight behind another candidate, Gifty Twum Ampofo.

Gifty Twum Ampofo is Eastern Regional President of the Science Teachers Association of Ghana.

Meanwhile, some Abuakwa North NPP members who were also hoping to contest in the primary say they suspect foul play in the selection process.

They claim the picking of forms and vetting was not publicized. They say the party opened nominations and closed within 24 hours.

Bonti Benjamin, one of the aggrieved aspirants, claim the party did so to ensure that their favourites sailed through.

The other candidates who have been given the nod by the party to contest Tuesday’s primary include, Isaac Osei Ampadu, a licensed auctioneer and a timber merchant, Kyei Brobbey, immediate past headmaster of Ofori Panin Senior High School, Professor-Emeritus Samuel Amoako, a former MP for the area.

In all 375 members of the NPP from 64 polling stations are expected to select a candidate for the by-elections on March 29.