1. NAME OF THE PARTY

The name of the Party is the New Patriotic Party (the ‘Party’).

2. MOTTO, SYMBOL AND COLOURS OF THE PARTY

(1) The Motto of the Party is ‘Development in Freedom’.

(2) The Symbol of the Party is the ‘Elephant’.

(3) The Colours of the Party are ‘Red, White and Blue.

The aims and objectives of the Party are:

(1) to participate in shaping the political will of the people by disseminating information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of the Party.

(2) to sponsor candidates for elections to any public office as required under the Constitution of the Republic.

(3) to win political power through democratic means in order to pursue the Party’s agenda as provided for in the Party’s manifesto for a general election.

(4) to foster and actively promote unity among all the peoples of this country regardless of race, place of origin, circumstances of birth, ethnic origin, position, gender, religion or creed, occupation, status in society or political affiliation.

(5) to bring together like-minded citizens of the country so that they may strive for Freedom and Justice by the appreciation and protection of human rights and the Rule of Law through the practice of true democracy.

(6) to build in this country a free and democratic system of government under which all citizens will be able to contribute to the welfare, peace and prosperity of our nation, and keep its people free from dictatorship and oppression.

(7) to harness to the full the human and natural resources of the country and ensure development of all Regions and Districts without discrimination.

(8) to ensure that the wealth of the country is not monopolized by a section or particular area of the country but is fairly shared and enjoyed by all, in particular, to bridge the present wide gap between the urban and rural communities and also improve conditions in depressed urban areas of the country.

(9) to reduce excessive centralization of Government and ensure as far as practicable that the regions and districts of this country fully participate in deciding matters affecting their development and their well-being.

(10) to promote a well-balanced development of agriculture and industry, making the best use of the resources of each area of the country.

(11) to protect the environment from degradation and repair the damage done to the environment by wasteful and improper exploitation of our land, forest, marine, and fresh water resources.

(12) to ensure that there are equal opportunities and inclusivity for all citizens without discrimination on any grounds whether of gender, age, position, politics, religion or status.

(13) to manage the economy of the country with efficiency and prudence, guided by the consideration of the national interest.

(14) to promote a vibrant, free-market economy and encourage vigorous participation by citizens in economic activities.

(15) to recognize and guarantee the ownership of property by individuals, either alone or in association with others.

(16) to create a climate in which private enterprise will thrive and citizens and foreigners alike may invest without fear and without unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions and impediments, in order to create wealth and prosperity for the citizens and people of this country.

(17) to provide a good system of education, both public and private, at all levels which responds to the developmental needs of the country as well as the need for qualitative education.

(18) to solve the grave problem of massive unemployment and to provide for all who are capable, the opportunity and means of earning a living, either by way of self-employment or as employees in various undertakings.

(19) to give priority attention to the health needs of the nation in order to establish and maintain a decent, humane, efficient system of public health which is easily accessible to the broad masses of the people.

(20) to foster and maintain freedom of the media, and open dissemination and interchange of ideas, subject only to the Constitution of Ghana and any other relevant laws.

(21) to give equal opportunities to women and ensure that all forms of discrimination against women end, so that they can contribute more effectively to the development of the nation.

(22) to pursue responsible population policies.

(23) to maintain, in the interest of national unity, harmonious relations with all other political parties, notwithstanding any differences in ideologies.

(24) to respect, obey and protect the Constitution and Laws of the Republic.

(25) to ensure and protect the integrity of the Republic.

(26) to respect, preserve and promote the traditional cultures and institutions of this country, particularly Chieftaincy.

(27) to ensure that the country maintains friendly relations with all countries which respect our sovereignty and integrity as a nation, and support measures that strengthen the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), the Commonwealth and the United Nations (UN), and any other international body of which Ghana is a member, in pursuit of development, peace, freedom and a just international order.

(28) to develop and maintain close fraternal relations with all political parties in West Africa, Africa, and the world at large, which share the liberal democratic ideals of the Party, with the goal of fostering regional, continental and global alliances with like-minded democratic parties to promote and defend the ideals of Democracy and the Rule of Law.

1. MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION

(1) Membership of the Party shall be open to all citizens of voting age, without regard to place of origin, circumstances of birth, race, status, occupation, gender, ethnic origin, religion, creed, or other beliefs.

(2) A Member of an organisation or interest group shall not be required to join the Party solely by virtue of his membership of the organisation or group.

(3) Any citizen may join the Party by declaration in a prescribed form of his intention to become a member and to abide by this Constitution.

(4) Any citizen who desires to become a member of the Party may enrol for membership in a Polling Station in any Parliamentary Constituency where the citizen resides or hails from, or in an External Branch.

(5) A citizen shall, upon being registered, be issued with a membership card bearing the citizen’s name, postal address, residential address, Polling Station and Constituency or External Branch in which the citizen has been registered.

(6) A Member shall be registered as belonging to any of the following three categories of membership:

(a)    Founding Members

Founding Members are those persons who participated in the birth of the Party by appending their signatures on the prescribed forms at the Electoral Commission and paid the prescribed fee in 1992.

(b)    Patrons

Patrons are Members who undertake to contribute to the National, Regional, Constituency, External Branch or Polling Station fund of the Party, as the case may be, for the support of the Party’s organisation and such extra levies as may be imposed from time to time.

(c)    Members

Persons who are registered with the Party and who are neither Founding Members nor Patrons shall be described as Members.

(7) The prescribed fees paid by Founding Members and the contributions made or levies paid by Patrons shall be in addition to whatever membership dues they may pay in the Constituency in which they are registered as Members.

(8) A Patron, who persistently fails to pay the levies duly imposed, may cease to be such by having their name struck off the register of Patrons, provided, however, that any such Member whose name is struck off the register for this reason shall have their name reinstated upon payment of all outstanding levies.

(9) The National Secretariat, Regional Secretariat, Constituency Secretariat, External Branches and Polling Stations shall have their respective registers of Patrons who undertake to contribute to the National, Regional, Constituency, External Branch or Polling Station fund of the Party, as the case may be, for the support of the Party’s organisation and such extra levies as may be imposed from time to time.

2. DUES AND DONATIONS

(1) Every Member shall pay such amount of dues and in such a manner as the Party may from time to time determine.

(2) Subject to the provisions of the laws governing political parties, any person or group of persons, who agree with the aims, objectives, policies and programmes of the Party, may make donations to the Party.

3. RIGHTS OF A MEMBER

A Member shall have the right to:

(1) participate in all activities of the Party, subject to rules and regulations governing such activities;

(2) be heard whenever their activities and conduct are in question and under consideration by the Party;

(3) contest for any position or office within the Party, in accordance with the rules and regulations governing elections.

4. DUTIES OF A MEMBER

(1) A Member shall have the duty at all times to:

(a)    promote and defend the good name of the Party;

(b)    protect the unity of the Party;

(c)    be loyal and truthful to the Party;

(d)    abide by and publicly uphold the decisions of the Party;

(e)    carry out their duties faithfully and with honesty to the best of their abilities;

(f)    participate fully in the activities of the Party and ensure that the local organs of the Party work effectively and accountably;

(g)    pay dues as well as give donations for special programmes and activities as may be decided from time to time by the Party;

(h)    register as a voter for the purposes of public elections and referenda upon attaining the age of 18 years or above, subject to the Constitution of the Republic.

(2) A Member shall not initiate, commence or prosecute any legal proceedings whatsoever against the Party or any other Member of the Party relating to party affairs, without first having exhausted both the grievance and disciplinary procedures laid down in this Constitution, in respect of grievances against the Party or any other Member.

5. DISQUALIFICATION OF A MEMBER

(1) A Member shall be disqualified from holding any office or contesting any election in the Party if such a member:

(a)    is declared bankrupt under any law in Ghana;

(b)    has been convicted and/or sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction in respect of any offence involving:

      (i) high crime, high treason, treason or an offence involving the security of the State, dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude;

      (ii) any offence punishable by death or by a sentence of not less than ten (10) years, unless a period of ten years has elapsed after the serving of the sentence or the member has been granted a full pardon;

      (iii) any offence relating to public elections.

(c)    has been found by a report of a Commission or Committee of Enquiry to be either incompetent to hold public office, to have acquired assets unlawfully, defrauded the State, abused their office or acted against the interest of the State;

(d)    is not qualified to be registered as a voter under any law relating to public elections;

(e)    suffers from mental disability or adjudged a criminal lunatic;

(f)    is a chief or is a public servant belonging to any of the services listed under article 94(3)(b) of the 1992 Constitution;

(g)    is not in good standing.

(2) A Member shall be in good standing where the member has paid in full or is up to date on all dues, contributions or levies, and has discharged all duties as provided by this constitution.

(3) A Member shall have the right to vote in any internal election of the Party if such a member is a registered person to vote in any public election and has been in good standing at least two (2) years before the conduct of that election.

6. SUSPENSION OF A MEMBER

(1) A Member may only be suspended from membership of the Party, or holding any office in the Party, upon the recommendation of a Disciplinary Committee pending an enquiry into his conduct by that Disciplinary Committee.

(2) No decision to suspend a Member shall be taken, unless the nature of the complaint has been communicated to the Member in writing, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against such Member.

7. RESIGNATION OF A MEMBER

(1) A Member shall cease to be a member by writing and signing a letter addressed to the Constituency Chairperson, declaring their intention to cease to be a Member, and forthwith surrendering their membership card.

(2) Any Member who ceases to be a Member of the Party shall return to the Party any Party property in their custody, and shall forfeit any monies, dues or donations made to the Party.

(3) Ordinary Members shall not automatically forfeit their membership upon breach of any provision of this Constitution, except when that Member is an officer of the Party, in which case they may be compelled to vacate their position without necessarily losing the right of membership.

8. FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP

(1) A Member of the Party, who stands as an independent candidate against the officially elected member of the Party, or who joins or declares their support for another Political Party, or for an independent candidate, when the Party has sponsored a candidate in a general or by-election, automatically forfeits their membership of the Party.

(2) Whenever a Member ceases to be a Member through resignation, expulsion from the Party or forfeiture of membership, the person may reapply for membership of the Party, and the person may be readmitted on conditions provided in this Constitution, except where the National Executive Committee decides otherwise.

9. EXPULSION OF A MEMBER

(1) A Member may be expelled from the Party on grounds of misconduct in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, and, upon such expulsion, shall cease to be a Member.

(2) Any person who, accordingly, ceases to be a Member shall return to the Party any party property in their custody, and shall forfeit any contributions, levies, dues or donations made to the Party.

(3) No Member shall be expelled, unless such expulsion is effected in accordance with the provisions of article 4 of this Constitution.

10. REGISTER OF MEMBERS

(1) There shall be kept at every Polling Station and in the Constituency office of the Party in each Constituency an up-to-date register of Members of the Party in the Constituency, which shall be updated every six (6) months and forwarded to the National Secretariat through the respective Regional Secretariat within three (3) months of the update.

(2) The Regional Secretariat of the Party shall keep an up-to-date register of Founding Members and Patrons of the Party in its region and shall take custody of the list of registered Members in all constituencies of the Region.

(3) The National Secretariat shall keep a register of all categories of Members of the Party.

1. APPOINTMENT OF DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEES

(1) Each Constituency shall have a Constituency Disciplinary Committee, which shall be appointed by the Constituency Executive Committee. It shall comprise three (3) or five (5) members, provided, however, that where the Constituency Disciplinary Committee consists of three (3) Members, at least one (1) shall be a woman, and where there are five (5) Members, at least two (2) shall be women. None of the Members of the Constituency Disciplinary Committee shall be Constituency Officers.

(2) Each Region shall have a Regional Disciplinary Committee, which shall be appointed by the Regional Executive Committee.

(3) The Regional Disciplinary Committee shall comprise three (3) or five (5) Members, provided, however, that where the Regional Disciplinary Committee consists of three (3) members, at least one (1) of them shall be a woman, and where there are five (5) Members, at least two (2) shall be women.

(4) A Member of the Regional Executive Committee shall not be a Member of the Regional Disciplinary Committee.

(5) The quorum for a meeting of the Constituency or Regional Disciplinary Committee shall be two (2) where the membership is three (3), and three (3) where the membership is five (5).

(6) The Constituency or Regional Disciplinary Committee shall ordinarily not spend more than four (4) weeks in dealing with any matter before it, and shall submit a report together with its recommendations to the Constituency or Regional Executive Committee for implementation as the case may be.

(7) There shall be a National Disciplinary Committee, which shall be one of the Standing Committees of the National Council, and which shall be composed as follows:

(a)    one (1) person appointed by the National Executive Committee who shall be a woman;

(b)    two (2) representatives of the Party’s Parliamentary Group appointed by that group, one of whom shall be a woman;

(c)    one (1) representative of the National Council of Elders appointed by that group;

(d)    one (1) representative of the Constitutional and Legal Committee appointed by that group;

(e)    one (1) representative of the Regional Chairpersons appointed by that group;

(f)    one (1) person appointed by the National Chairperson;

(g)    one (1) person appointed by the President, when the Party is in government, or the Presidential Candidate, if any, when the Party is in opposition.

(8) At the first meeting of the National Disciplinary Committee, the Chairperson shall be elected from among members by the members themselves.

(9) At least five (5) members of the Committee, including the Chairperson, shall be present to constitute a valid meeting of the Committee.

2. TERM

The term of members of a Disciplinary Committee shall be four (4) years, but they may be reappointed.

3. JURISDICTION

(1) The Constituency Disciplinary Committee shall have jurisdiction in all matters affecting discipline within the Constituency Organisation.

(2) The Regional Disciplinary Committee shall have original jurisdiction in all matters affecting discipline at the regional level with respect to the Regional Executive Officers, and other key Members of the Party in the Region, including Constituency Executive Officers, Patrons and Founding Members.

(3) The Regional Disciplinary Committee shall have jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions of the Constituency Executive Committee.

(4) The National Disciplinary Committee shall have jurisdiction in all matters affecting discipline at the National level, with respect to National Executive Officers and key Members of the Party, including Ministers and Deputy Ministers, former Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, former Members of Parliament, Patrons, Founding Members, Members of Standing Committees and National Council Members, as well as other Members, who may be referred to the National Disciplinary Committee by the National Executive Committee.

(5) The National Disciplinary Committee shall have jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions of the Regional Executive Committee.

(6) A Member who alleges that another Member has breached any provision in this Constitution, or such a Member’s activities undermine the Party’s Constitution, shall lodge a complaint against that Member.

(a)    A complaint against a Member or Office Holder at the Polling Station level or Electoral Area shall be in writing to the Constituency Executive Committee and filed at the Constituency Office.

(b)    A complaint against a Constituency Officer shall be in writing to the Regional Executive Committee and filed at the Regional Office.

(c)    A complaint against a Regional Officer shall be in writing to the National Executive Committee and filed at the National Office.

(d)    A complaint against a Member of Parliament or former Member of Parliament shall be made to the National Executive Committee and, in case of a Member of the National Executive Committee, to the National Council, both of which shall be filed at the National Office through the General Secretary.

(e)    Upon receipt of a complaint against a Member or Office Holder, the Constituency, Regional or National Executive Committee, as the case may be, shall acknowledge receipt of same with the official stamp of the respective Office.

(f)    Upon receipt of a complaint against a Member or Office Holder, the Constituency, Regional or National Executive Committee, as the case may be, shall, within seven (7) working days, submit the complaint to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee and a copy of the complaint shall be given to the affected Member or Office Holder.

4. FUNCTIONS AND POWERS

(1) A Disciplinary Committee shall:

(a)    investigate complaints concerning the misconduct of a Member;

(b)    make a full, faithful and impartial inquiry into any complaint referred to it;

(c)    report in writing the outcome of the inquiry and the reasons leading to the conclusions reached; and

(d)    make recommendations to the appropriate Body based on the outcome of the inquiry.

(2) A Disciplinary Committee shall have the following powers:

(a)    where disciplinary proceedings are pending against a Member or Office Holder, the Disciplinary Committee may recommend the suspension of that Member or Office Holder to the Executive Committee.

(b)    where the Disciplinary Committee recommends the suspension of a person against whom a complaint has been made, the Executive Committee or National Council, as the case may be, shall suspend that Member or Office Holder. However, in the case of an Office Holder, the Executive Committee shall only suspend the Member with the prior approval of the Regional Office, National Office or National Council as the case may be.

(3) The Executive Committee or National Council, as the case may be, shall, within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the final recommendation of a Disciplinary Committee, adopt, modify or reject same, and shall communicate its reasoned decision in writing to all affected parties.

(4) The National Executive Committee shall make any recommendation it deems fit to promote discipline within the Party, including the suspension and/or expulsion of a Member. The recommendation automatically comes into full force and effect, where no appeal is lodged against it in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

5. PROCEEDINGS

(1) Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by a complaint in writing delivered to the Disciplinary Committee, in so far as the complaint relates to the affairs of the Party.

(2) Proceedings of a Disciplinary Committee shall be held in camera and shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules of Natural Justice.

(3) A Disciplinary Committee shall, within twenty-one (21) days of the receipt of a complaint, conclude its deliberations on the matter, and make its recommendations thereon to the Executive Committee, except that the period of twenty-one (21) days may, in appropriate circumstances, be extended by the respective Executive Committee.

(4) The determination of any question or matter before a Disciplinary Committee shall be in accordance with the opinion of the majority of the members of the Committee.

(5) A Disciplinary Committee shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person in the performance of its function.

6. APPEALS

(1) A Member aggrieved by or dissatisfied with a decision of the Constituency Executive Committee, may, within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the notice of the decision, appeal against the decision to the Regional Disciplinary Committee by filing an appeal in writing to the Regional Secretary.

(2) The Regional Disciplinary Committee shall conclude its deliberations on the appeal within twenty-one (21) days from the date of receipt of the appeal and submit its recommendations on the appeal to the Regional Executive Committee for its decision.

(3) A Member aggrieved by or dissatisfied with a decision of the Regional Executive Committee may, within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the notice of the decision of the Regional Executive Committee, appeal against the decision to the National Disciplinary Committee by filing an appeal in writing to the General Secretary.

(4) The National Disciplinary Committee shall conclude its deliberations on the appeal within twenty-one (21) days from the date of receipt of the appeal and submit its recommendations on the appeal to the National Executive Committee for its decision.

(5) A Member aggrieved by or dissatisfied with a decision of the National Executive Committee may, within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of the notice of the decision, appeal against the decision to the National Council by filing an appeal in writing to the General Secretary.

(6) The National Council shall conclude its deliberations on the appeal within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the appeal, and its decision shall be final and binding on all affected parties.

7. MISCONDUCT

(1) A complaint shall involve an allegation that any of the following acts of misconduct relates to a Member or Office Holder as the case may be:

(a)    violation of the duties of a Member or Office Holder;

(b)    violent, dangerous or intimidating conduct against another Member or Office Holder;

(c)    falsification of reports, accounts or expense claims or other fraudulent conduct;

(d)    willful damage to Party property;

(e)    breach of the duty to publicly uphold Party decisions and policies;

(f)    creation of discord or factionalism within the Party;

(g)    bringing the name of the Party into disrepute, public ridicule, contempt or disrespect;

(h)    defection to another Party.

(2) Any conduct, which has the effect of any of the above, shall attract sanctions, including fines, suspension, expulsion from the Party, or disqualification from holding any office or position in the Party for a stated period to be recommended by the relevant Disciplinary Committee, subject to such modification as the Executive Committee may make.

8. GRIEVANCE

(1) A Member with a grievance against the Party may, in writing, petition the Constituency, Regional or National Executive Committee, as the case may be, for redress.

(2) A grievance shall involve an allegation of unjust or unfair treatment by the Party against the Member.

(3) A Constituency, Regional or National Executive Committee, as the case may be, shall, in conjunction with other party organs, where appropriate, within twenty-one (21) days from the receipt of the petition, investigate the grievance, conclude its deliberations thereon, and notify its decision to the Member.

(4) A Member aggrieved by, or dissatisfied with, the decision of the Constituency, Regional or National Executive Committee, as the case may be, may, within seven (7) days from the date of the receipt of the notice of the decision, appeal, in the case of the decision by the Constituency Executive Committee, to the Regional Executive Committee, in the case of a decision by the Regional Executive Committee, to the National Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final.

(5) The Regional or National Executive Committees, as the case may be, shall decide the appeal within seven (7) days of its receipt, and communicate its decision thereon to the Member.

(1) The Party is a National Party and shall accordingly be structured and operated on that basis.

(2) The Party shall be based on Polling Station, Electoral Area, Constituency, External Branch, Regional and National Organisations.

(3) The Constituency Organisation shall include the Electoral Area, which shall be next on the hierarchy to the Polling Station.

(4) The Polling Station Executives in each Electoral Area shall elect the Electoral Area Officers, who shall be Members in good standing for at least two (2) years.

(5) The Electoral Areas shall be clustered in accordance with the electoral area demarcations of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

(6) At any given time, the Party shall have branches in all the regions of Ghana and shall be organised in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the districts in each Region of the country.

(1) There shall be Polling Station Executives of seven (7) Members who shall all be elected, comprising the Chairperson, Secretary, Organiser, Women Organiser, Youth Organiser, Communications Officer and Electoral Affairs Officer, whose duties shall be:

(a)    to act as polling agents when appropriate;

(b)    responsible for house-to-house campaigns;

(c)    to act as agents during voter registration and cleaning of the voter register;

(d)    to perform any other function that would be assigned them by a Constituency Officer.

(2) In Polling Station Executive elections, all card-bearing Members in good standing in the Polling Station area shall be entitled to vote.

(3) There shall be an Electoral Area Executive Committee consisting of five (5) Officers, all of whom shall be elected by the Polling Station Executives within that Electoral Area. The Committee shall comprise the Electoral Area Chairperson, Secretary, Organiser, Communications Officer and Electoral Affairs Officer.

(4) It shall be the duty of the Electoral Area Executives to:

(a)    familiarise themselves with the responsibilities of the Polling Station Executives spelt out in the Polling Station Manual;

(b)    supervise all Polling Station Executives falling under their Electoral Area;

(c)    ensure that Polling Station Executives work in accordance with and under the directives of the Constituency Executives; and

(d)    present monthly reports and quarterly assessment performance to the Constituency Executive Committee.

(5) Polling Station and Electoral Area Executives shall hold office for four (4) years and may seek re-election.

(1) There shall be, in every parliamentary constituency of Ghana, a branch of the Party, consisting of Members who have registered in the Constituency. The basic unit of organisation of the Constituency shall be the Polling Station Area.

(2) Each Constituency shall have a Constituency Executive Committee, which shall consist of the:

(a)    Constituency Chairperson

(b)    Constituency 1^st Vice-Chairperson

(c)    Constituency 2^nd Vice-Chairperson

(d)    Constituency Secretary

(e)    Constituency Deputy Secretary

(f)    Constituency Treasurer

(g)    Constituency Financial Secretary

(h)    Constituency Organiser

(i)    Constituency Deputy Organiser

(j)    Constituency Women Organiser

(k)    Constituency Deputy Women Organiser

(l)    Constituency Youth Organiser

(m)    Constituency Deputy Youth Organiser

(n)    Constituency Nasara Organiser

(o)    Constituency Deputy Nasara Organiser

(p)    Constituency Communication Officer

(q)    Constituency Research Officer

(r)    Constituency Electoral Affairs Officer

(s)    Constituency PWD Coordinator

(t)    Member of Parliament or Parliamentary Candidate for the Constituency.

(3) Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives may attend Constituency Executive Committee meetings, but without the right to vote.

(4) Nine (9) members of the Constituency Executive Committee, including three (3) elected persons, shall constitute a quorum of the Committee. The elected persons, for the purpose of the quorum, shall include the Chairperson or one of the Vice-Chairpersons.

(5) With the exception of the following appointees, i.e. Constituency Financial Secretary, Constituency Deputy Organizer, Constituency Deputy Women Organiser, Constituency Deputy Youth Organiser, Constituency Deputy Nasara Organiser, Constituency Research Officer, Constituency Electoral Affairs Officer and Constituency PWD Coordinator, all other Constituency Officers shall be elected at the Constituency Delegates Conference, which shall be supervised by a person appointed by the Regional Executive Committee from within its membership.

(6) All appointments shall be made to reflect the diversity and the National character of the Party.

(7) Election of Constituency Officers shall be by secret ballot, and by a simple majority.

(8) Constituency Officers shall hold office for four (4) years and may seek re-election.

(9) No Member shall be eligible to apply for nomination as a Constituency Officer unless such a Member is a known and active Member for at least two (2) years and in good standing.

(10) No Member shall be eligible to contest an election or be appointed to the position of a Constituency Officer, if that Member is a Regional or National Officer, Metropolitan, Municipal or District Chief Executive, Member of Parliament, Minister or Deputy Minister of State, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director/Director General or Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Director General or any other Government Appointee. If a Constituency Officer accepts an appointment to serve in the Executive arm of Government, they shall resign from the Party position.

(11) Within fourteen (14) days of their election, the elected Constituency Executives and the Member of Parliament shall, in consultation with the Regional Executive Committee, appoint the Officers who are specified to be appointed under clause (5) of this article.

(12) Within fourteen (14) days after the appointment of the Officers referred to under clause (5), the Constituency Executive Committee shall appoint Members of the Constituency Disciplinary Committee, the Constituency Finance Committee, five (5) Members each on the Council of Elders and Patrons.

(13) In the running of the Constituencies and Regions, Constituency Officers and Regional Officers shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Party in the Constituency and Region respectively.

(14) There shall be in every Constituency, a Constituency Office of the Party, which shall be headed by the Constituency Secretary, and shall have such other personnel as the Constituency Executive Committee may appoint.

(15) The Constituency Secretary shall report administrative matters to the Constituency Chairperson.

(16) The remuneration, terms and conditions of service of the Constituency Secretary, and other personnel of the Constituency Secretariat, shall be determined by the Constituency Executive Committee.

(17) The Constituency Chairperson shall be the executive head of the Party in the Constituency, and the convener of meetings of the Constituency Executive Committee.

(18) In the event that the Constituency Chairperson fails to convene a meeting, a written resolution by a quarter of the membership of the Constituency Executive Committee shall be sufficient to compel the convening of a meeting with stated agenda communicated through the resolution.

(19) In the absence of the Constituency Chairperson, the Constituency 1st Vice-Chairperson shall act in his place, and, in the absence of the Constituency 1st Vice-Chairperson, the Constituency 2nd Vice-Chairperson shall act.

(20) The Constituency Chairperson and Constituency Secretary shall be members of the Regional Executive Committee.

(21) The Constituency Executive Committee shall meet at least once every month and shall present quarterly reports on the operations and activities of the Party in the Constituency to the Regional Executive Committee.

(22) The Constituency Executive Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the operations of the Party within the Constituency, for the implementation of its programmes for promoting social and political awareness and general political education within the Constituency, for recruiting Members into the Party, and for mobilizing support for the Party before, during and after elections.

(23) The Constituency Executive Committee may form such committees or sub-committees, as it considers necessary or expedient, and may co-opt any Member within the Constituency into any of such committees.

(24) Constituency Officers shall cease to be such Officers if:

(a)    they resign;

(b)    they are removed in accordance with the procedures for the removal of Officers;

(c)    by reason of death, bodily or mental infirmity, or are otherwise incapable of carrying out their duties and responsibilities as Constituency Officers;

(d)    they cease to be a Member or are expelled from the Party;

(e)    they absent themselves for six (6) consecutive meetings, without any just cause, from meetings of the Constituency Executive Committee, of which they are given notice, provided that no Constituency Officer shall cease to be such an Officer for this reason without:

      (i) being summoned to appear before the Constituency Executive Committee, and being afforded an opportunity to be heard;

      (ii) a report being submitted to the Regional Executive Committee on the conduct of such Officer with the recommendation of the Constituency Executive Committee;

      (iii) the Regional Executive Committee considering the report of the Constituency Executive Committee, and pronouncing whether such Officer shall cease to be a Constituency Officer;

      (iv) having the right to appeal to the National Executive Committee, which shall decide the matter, and whose decision shall be final.

(25) A Constituency Officer, who ceases to be an Officer by reason of absenteeism, shall, nevertheless, continue to be a Member of the Party, and shall be eligible for re-election to membership of the Constituency Executive Committee at any subsequent Constituency Delegates Conference.

(26) Any vacancy, which may occur for whatever reason in the membership of the Constituency Executive Committee, shall be filled in the case of the Constituency Chairperson by the Constituency 1^st Vice-Chairperson; in the case of Constituency 1^st Vice-Chairperson by the Constituency 2^nd Vice-Chairperson; and in the case of the Constituency 2^nd Vice Chairperson, Constituency Secretary, Constituency Treasurer and Constituency Organiser, by election by the Constituency Executive Committee of another Constituency officer to hold such office. In the case of any other Constituency Officer, the Constituency Executive Committee shall appoint somebody to fill that vacancy. Any person elected or appointed to fill a vacancy shall vacate their office at the same time as the other Constituency Officers end their term of office.

(27) In every other year, at least four (4) weeks prior to the Regional Delegates Conference, there shall be a Constituency Delegates Conference, which shall be attended by the following delegates:

(a)    All Members of the Constituency Executive Committee;

(b)    All Members of the Electoral Area Executive Committee;

(c)    All Polling Station Executives in the Constituency;

(d)    Five (5) members of the Constituency Council of Elders;

(e)    Five (5) Constituency Patrons;

(f)    Any Founding Member from the Constituency, who is a signatory to the registration documents of the Party at the Electoral Commission;

(g)    National Officers who vote in the Constituency; and

(h)    Regional Officers who vote in the Constituency.

(28) The presence of at least one-third (1/3) of the delegates of the Constituency shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the Conference.

(29) The Constituency Delegates Conference shall:

(a)    deliberate on all matters affecting the organisation and well-being of the Party in the Constituency;

(b)    consider and approve the report presented by the Constituency Secretary as approved by the Constituency Executive Committee;

(c)    consider and approve a statement of accounts presented by the Constituency Treasurer as approved by the Constituency Executive Committee;

(d)    consider and approve a programme of activities for the coming year;

(e)    pass resolutions or make recommendations for consideration of the Regional Delegates Conference, and

(f)    elect Constituency Officers, when required.

(30) Constituency or Regional Officers shall appoint an Officer from amongst them to supervise Polling Station, Electoral Area and Constituency elections, respectively.

(31) Every Constituency Executive Committee shall convene an Extraordinary Constituency Delegates Conference, when required, to select the Parliamentary Candidate for the Constituency.

(32) The delegates to the Extraordinary Delegates Conference for the selection or election of the Parliamentary Candidate shall be the delegates listed under article 12(9) of this Constitution.

(33) Whenever the Constituency Executive Committee, or the Constituency Chairperson, or one third (1/3) of the Members who constitute delegates for the Constituency Delegates Conference, deem it necessary, an Extraordinary Constituency Delegates Conference may be convened. The Constituency Secretary shall give notice of such a meeting not later than seven (7) days before the date of the Conference and shall specify the agenda for the Conference.

(1) There shall be established External Branches of the Party, whose activities shall be governed by the provisions of this Constitution.

(2) An External Branch of the Party may be made up of Chapters.

(3) Subject to article 8(1), any group of Party Members in any country abroad may constitute themselves into an External Branch.

(4) The External Branches may enact rules and regulations, which shall be consistent with this Constitution, to govern their activities.

(5) The minimum number of membership to qualify as an External Branch shall be one hundred (100), or as determined by the National Council, which shall, in appropriate cases, allow a number of External Branches to come together to form one External Branch.

(6) All the External Branches shall have three (3) representatives on the National Executive Committee and five (5) representatives on the National Council.

(7) All Current Executives of External Branches shall have voting rights at the National Delegates Conference.

(8) All Current Executives of External Branches shall have voting rights at the Presidential Primaries.

(9) All former Executives of External Branches shall have voting rights at the Presidential Primaries.

(1) Each Region shall have a Regional Executive Committee, which shall consist of the:

(a)    Regional Chairperson

(b)    Regional 1^st Vice-Chairperson

(c)    Regional 2^nd Vice-Chairperson

(d)    Regional Secretary

(e)    Regional Deputy Secretary

(f)    Regional Treasurer

(g)    Regional Organiser

(h)    Regional Deputy Organiser

(i)    Regional Women Organiser

(j)    Regional Deputy Women Organiser

(k)    Regional Youth Organiser

(l)    Regional Deputy Youth Organiser

(m)    Regional Financial Secretary

(n)    Regional Research Officer

(o)    Regional Electoral Affairs Officer

(p)    Regional Communications Officer

(q)    Regional Nasara Organiser

(r)    Regional Deputy Nasara Organiser

(s)    Regional Legal Officer

(t)    Regional PWD Coordinator

(u)    Regional Special Duties Officer

(v)    Constituency Chairpersons

(w)    Constituency Secretaries.

(x)    Members of Parliament in the Region and Parliamentary Candidates from the Region who shall, however, have no right to vote.

(y)    Regional and Deputy Regional Ministers, MMDCEs, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, who come from the Region, may attend Regional Executive Committee meetings, but without the right to vote.

(2) With the exception of the Regional Deputy Organiser, Regional Deputy Women Organiser, Regional Deputy Youth Organiser, Regional Deputy Nasara Organiser, Regional Financial Secretary, Regional Research Officer, Regional Electoral Affairs Officer, Regional Legal Officer and Regional Special Duties Officer who shall be appointed, all other Regional Officers shall be elected at a Regional Delegates Conference, which shall be supervised by a person appointed by the National Executive Committee, from within its membership.

(3) There shall be a Regional Steering Committee composed of the Regional Officers, Chairman of the Regional Council of Elders and the Chairperson of the Regional Parliamentary Caucus. The presence of at least one-third (1/3) of the members of the Regional Steering Committee, including the Chairperson, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the Committee.

(4) The Regional Steering Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administration of the Party in the region and shall act on behalf of the Regional Executive Committee on urgent matters. The Regional Steering Committee shall report on its activities to the Regional Executive Committee.

(5) All appointments shall be made to reflect the diversity and the national character of the Party.

(6) Election of Regional Officers shall be by secret ballot, and by a simple majority.

(7) All Officers shall hold office for four (4) years and may seek re-election.

(8) No Member shall be eligible to apply for nomination as a Regional Officer unless such a Member is a known and active Member for at least two (2) years and in good standing.

(9) No Member shall be eligible to contest an election or be appointed to the position of a Regional Officer, if that Member is a Constituency or National Officer, Metropolitan, Municipal or District Chief Executive, Member of Parliament, Minister or Deputy Minister of State, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director/Director General or Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Director General or any other Government Appointee. If a Regional Officer accepts an appointment to serve in the Executive arm of Government, the officer shall resign from the Party position.

(10) Within fourteen (14) days of their election, the elected Regional Officers shall, in consultation with the National Executive Committee, appoint the Regional Officers who are required to be appointed under clause 2 of this article.

(11) Within fourteen (14) days of the appointment of the Regional Officers, the Regional Executive Committee shall appoint Members of the Regional Disciplinary Committee, the Regional Finance Committee, and ten (10) Members each on the Council of Elders and Patrons.

(12) There shall be in every Region, a Regional Office of the Party, which shall be headed by the Regional Secretary, and shall have such other personnel as the Regional Executive Committee may appoint.

(13) The Regional Secretary shall be responsible for:

(a)    keeping proper records of the Party;

(b)    carrying out the decisions of the Regional Executive Committee;

(c)    supervising and coordinating the operations of the Constituency Offices within the Region.

(14) The Regional Secretary shall report administrative matters to the Regional Chairperson.

(15) The remuneration, terms and conditions of service of the Regional Secretary, and other personnel of the Regional Secretariat, shall be determined by the Regional Executive Committee.

(16) The Regional Chairperson shall be the executive head of the Party in the Region, and the convener of meetings of the Regional Executive Committee, Regional Steering Committee, and the Regional Delegates Conference and shall preside over such meetings.

(17) In the event that the Regional Chairperson fails to convene a meeting, a written resolution by a quarter of the total membership of the Regional Executive Committee or the Regional Steering Committee, where appropriate, shall be sufficient to compel the convening of a meeting with a stated agenda communicated through the resolution.

(18) In the absence of the Regional Chairperson, the Regional 1^st Vice-Chairperson shall act in the Chairperson’s place, and in the absence of the Regional 1^st Vice-Chairperson, the Regional 2^nd Vice-Chairperson shall act.

(19) The Regional Chairperson shall be a member of the National Executive Committee.

(20) The Regional Executive Committee shall meet, at least, once in every three (3) months, and shall present quarterly reports on the operations and activities of the Party in the Region to the National Executive Committee.

(21) The presence of at least one-third (1/3) of the members of the Regional Executive Committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the Committee.

(22) The Regional Executive Committee shall be responsible for coordinating the operations and activities of the Party in the Region, for ensuring that the Party’s policies and programmes are implemented in the Region, for fostering cooperation between the various Constituency Organisations of the Party within the Region, and for drawing up suitable regional programmes of activity for this purpose.

(23) The Regional Executive Committee may form such committees or sub-committees, as it considers necessary or expedient, and may co-opt any Member in the Region to any of such committees.

(24) The Regional Executive Committee shall appoint representatives to serve on the National Council provided that fifty percent (50%) of the regional representatives to the National Council shall be Regional Officers, and fifty percent (50%) shall not be such Officers. Each Region shall have such number of representatives as determined by the number of constituencies in the Region, so that every five (5) constituencies in a Region shall have one representative on the National Council;

(25) A Regional Officer shall cease to be such an Officer if:

(a)    the officer resigns;

(b)    the officer is removed in accordance with the procedures of removal of officers;

(c)    by reason of death, bodily or mental infirmity or is otherwise incapable of carrying out responsibilities as a Regional Officer;

(d)    the officer ceases to be a Member for engaging in a specified act prohibited under article 3 of this Constitution;

(e)    the officer is expelled from the Party;

(f)    the officer is absent for three (3) consecutive meetings, without any just cause, from meetings of the Regional Executive Committee, of which the officer is given notice, provided that no Regional Officer shall cease to be an Officer for this reason without:

      (i) being summoned to appear before the Regional Executive Committee and being afforded an opportunity to be heard;

      (ii) a report being submitted to the National Executive Committee on the conduct of such Officer with the recommendation of the Regional Executive Committee;

      (iii) the National Executive Committee considering the report of the Regional Executive Committee and pronouncing whether such Officer shall cease to be a Regional Officer. The decision of the National Executive Committee shall be final.

(26) A Regional Officer who ceases to be such Officer by reason of absenteeism shall, nevertheless, continue to be a Member of the Party, and shall be entitled to offer himself for re-election to membership of the Regional Executive Committee at any subsequent Regional Delegates Conference.

(27) Any vacancy, which may occur for whatever reason in the membership of the Regional Executive Committee, shall be filled in the case of the Regional Chairperson by the Regional 1^st Vice-Chairperson; in the case of the Regional 1^st Vice-Chairperson, by the Regional 2^nd Vice-Chairperson; in the case of the Regional Secretary by the Regional Deputy Secretary; and in the case of the Regional 2^nd Vice-Chairperson, Regional Treasurer and Regional Organiser, by election by the Regional Executive Committee of another Regional Officer to hold such office. In the case of any other Officer, the Regional Executive Committee shall appoint someone to fill that vacancy. Any person elected or appointed to fill a vacancy shall vacate his office at the same time as the other Regional Officers end their term of office.

(28) In every other year, at least four (4) weeks prior to the National Delegates Conference, there shall be a Regional Delegates Conference, which shall be attended by the following delegates:

(a)    All Members of the Regional Executive Committee;

(b)    All Members of Parliament in the Region;

(c)    All Members of the Constituency Executive Committees;

(d)    All Regional Representatives on the National Council;

(e)    Ten (10) Members of the Council of Elders in the Region;

(f)    The Regional TESCON Coordinator

(g)    The TESCON President from each recognized tertiary institution in the Region;

(h)    Ten (10) Patrons in the Region; and

(i)    All Founding Members from the Region, who are signatories to the registration documents of the Party at the Electoral Commission.

(29) The presence of at least one-third (1/3) of the delegates of the Regional Delegates Conference shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the Conference.

(30) The Regional Delegates Conference shall:

(a)    deliberate on all matters affecting the organisation and well-being of the Party in the Region;

(b)    consider and approve the report presented by the Regional Secretary as approved by the Regional Executive Committee;

(c)    consider and approve a Statement of Accounts presented by the Regional Treasurer, as approved by the Regional Executive Committee;

(d)    pass any resolution or make recommendations for consideration by the National Delegates Conference;

(e)    elect Regional Officers, when required.

(31) Every Regional Executive Committee shall, within two (2) weeks from the close of the proceedings of the Regional Delegates Conference, submit a report thereon to the National Executive Committee.

(32) A representative of the Regional Chairpersons shall be a member of the National Disciplinary Committee.

(33) Whenever the Regional Executive Committee, or the Regional Chairperson, or one third (1/3) of the Constituency Executive Committees in the Region, as the case may be, deem it necessary, an Extraordinary Regional Delegates Conference may be called.

(34) The Regional Secretary shall give notice of such meeting not later than seven (7) days before the date of the Conference and shall specify the agenda for the Conference.

There shall be a National Organisation of the Party, which shall consist of the National Delegates Conference, National Congress for the election or acclamation of the Presidential Candidate, National Council, National Executive Committee and the National Steering Committee.

1. NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE

(1) There shall be a National Delegates Conference, which shall be the supreme governing body of the Party, at least every two years.

(2) The National Delegates Conference shall meet at least four (4) weeks after the last of the Regional Delegates Conference.

(3) The National Delegates Conference shall be attended by the following delegates:

(a)    All Members of the National Council;

(b)    All Members of the National Executive Committee;

(c)    All Members of the Regional Executive Committees;

(d)    All Members of the Constituency Executive Committees;

(e)    All Members of the External Branch Executive;

(f)    All Members of the National Council of Elders;

(g)    The National TESCON Coordinator;

(h)    The TESCON President from each recognized tertiary institution in the country;

(i)    Thirty (30) National Patrons elected from among themselves;

(j)    Founding Members across the country, who are signatories to the registration documents of the Party at the Electoral Commission;

(k)    All Party Members of Parliament; and

(l)    All Party Members, who are Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.

(4) The presence of at least one-third (1/3) of the delegates of the National Delegates Conference shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the Conference.

(5) The notice convening a National Delegates Conference shall be given to every Constituency Executive Committee by the General Secretary not later than one (1) month before the date for holding the Conference.

(6) The National Delegates Conference shall deliberate and make appropriate resolutions on the following:

(a)    The National Chairperson’s Statement;

(b)    The General Secretary’s Report;

(c)    The National Treasurer’s Statement of Accounts;

(d)    Position Papers from Sector Committees on key developments since the last National Delegates Conference;

(e)    Any other matters.

(7) The National Delegates Conference shall also:

(a)    instruct the General Secretary and the National Treasurer to file the appropriate annual returns to the Electoral Commission;

(b)    elect National Officers, when required.

(8) Whenever the National Executive Committee, or the National Chairperson thinks it necessary, an Extraordinary National Delegates Conference may be convened. The General Secretary shall give notice of such meeting not later than seven (7) days before the date for the Conference and shall specify the agenda for the Conference.

2. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

(1) There shall be a National Council, which, subject to the decisions of the National Delegates Conference, shall direct the affairs of the Party in between meetings of the National Delegates Conference, and, for this purpose, may give such directives to the National Chairperson as may be considered necessary for the well-being of the Party.

(2) The National Council shall consist of:

(a)    voting Members of the National Executive Committee;

(b)    twenty (20) Members of Parliament chosen by the Party’s Parliamentary Group;

(c)    regional representatives;

(d)    five (5) Members of the National Council of Elders including the Chairman;

(e)    former National Chairpersons, former General Secretaries, former Speakers of Parliament;

(f)    chairpersons of Standing Committees and Directors at the National Secretariat of the Party;

(g)    five (5) representatives of the External Branches

(3) Regional representatives shall serve for a term of four (4) years, but may be re-appointed.

(4) The National Council shall meet at least twice a year, provided that no more than seven (7) months shall elapse between the first and second meetings.

(5) The presence of at least one third (1/3) of the Members of the National Council shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the Council.

(6) The National Council shall have the following Standing Committees: Finance Committee, Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Organisation Committee, Research Committee, National Disciplinary Committee, Vetting Committee, Electoral Affairs Committee, Communications Committee, Political Strategy & Policy Committee, and Security & Intelligence Committee which shall submit reports of their activities to the National Executive Committee every six (6) months for consideration and onward transmission to the National Council.

(a)    FINANCE COMMITTEE

(i) The Finance Committee shall consist of the National Treasurer and ten (10) other members, who, including the Chairperson, shall be appointed by the National Council on the recommendation of the National Executive Committee.

(ii) The National Treasurer shall be Secretary to the Finance Committee.

(iii) It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee to raise funds necessary to finance the operations of the Party in conformity with applicable laws. It shall report on its activities to the National Chairperson.

(iv) The Finance Committee shall, at the beginning of each Financial Year, approve and submit for decision by the National Executive Committee budgetary estimates prepared by the National Treasurer on the running of the Party.

(v) The Chairperson of the Finance Committee shall be a member of the Vetting Committee.

(b)    CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

(i) The Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, who shall be an Eminent Lawyer, and six (6) other members, all of whom shall be appointed by the National Council.

(ii) The National Director of Legal Affairs shall be Secretary to the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee.

(iii) The Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee shall advise the National Council and the National Executive Committee on matters relating to the smooth operation of the Party’s Constitution and shall assist in the resolution of any conflict that may arise between the various organs of the Party in the implementation of the Party’s Constitution.

(iv) The Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee shall submit to the National Council and the National Executive Committee any proposals it may have for the development and the implementation of the Party’s Constitution.

(v) The Chairperson of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee shall be a member of the Vetting Committee, and a representative of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee shall be a member of the National Disciplinary Committee.

(c)    THE ORGANISATION COMMITTEE

(i) The Organisation Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and six (6) other members, all of whom shall be appointed by the National Council.

(ii) The National Organiser shall be the Secretary to the Organisation Committee.

(iii) The Organisation Committee shall advise the National Council and the National Executive Committee on improvements in the operation of the Party’s organisation.

(iv) The Chairperson of the Organisation Committee shall be a member of the Vetting Committee.

(d)    RESEARCH COMMITTEE

(i) The Research Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and such other persons as the National Council may appoint.

(ii) The Director of Research shall be Secretary to the Research Committee.

(iii) Its functions shall be as determined by the National Council.

(iv) The Chairperson of the Research Committee shall be a member of the Vetting Committee.

(e)    THE NATIONAL DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

(i) The National Disciplinary Committee shall have the composition, functions, and jurisdiction set down in Article 4 of this Constitution.

(ii) The Chairperson of the National Disciplinary Committee shall be a member of the Vetting Committee.

(f)    VETTING COMMITTEE

(i) The Vetting Committee shall examine and vet the candidature of every aspirant for the presidential nomination of the Party to ensure that such person qualifies to contest for the Office of President of the Republic.

(ii) The Vetting Committee shall consist of:

      a. The Chairpersons of the Standing Committees of the National Council;

      b. The Chairperson of the National Council of Elders; and

      c. Three (3) other persons appointed by the National Council, one of whom shall be designated Chairperson of the Vetting Committee, provided, however, that the National Council shall ensure that at least two (2) of the members of the Committee are women.

(iii) The Vetting Committee shall disallow the candidature of any aspirant when it finds that such aspirant does not qualify to be a Presidential Candidate. It shall submit such finding in writing to the National Executive Committee, with a copy to the aspirant.

(iv) An aspirant, who is aggrieved by or dissatisfied with such a finding, may appeal against the finding to the National Executive Committee within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of notice of the finding, by filing an appeal in writing to the General Secretary.

(g)    ELECTORAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

(i) The Electoral Affairs Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and such other persons as the National Council may appoint.

(ii) The Committee shall be responsible for advising the Party on electoral affairs and related matters.

(iii) The Electoral Affairs Director shall be Secretary to the Electoral Affairs Committee.

(iv) The Chairperson of the Electoral Affairs Committee shall be a member of the Vetting Committee.

(h)    COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

(i) The Communications Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and such other persons as the National Council may appoint.

(ii) The Committee shall be responsible for the management of the Party’s communication and related matters.

(iii) The National Communications Director shall be Secretary to the Communications Committee.

(iv) The Chairperson of the Communications Committee shall be a member of the Vetting Committee.

(i)    POLITICAL STRATEGY & POLICY COMMITTEE

(i) The Political Strategy & Policy Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and such other persons as the National Council may appoint.

(ii) The Committee shall be responsible for giving strategic direction to the Party and for the development of policies of the Party.

(iii) The Director of Policy shall be Secretary to the Political Strategy & Policy Committee.

(iv) The Chairperson of the Political Strategy & Policy Committee shall be a member of the Vetting Committee.

(j)    SECURITY & INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE

(i) The Security & Intelligence Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and such other persons as the National Council may appoint.

(ii) The Committee shall be responsible for advising the Party on security matters and for the management of the Party’s internal security.

(iii) The Chairperson of the Security & Intelligence Committee shall be a member of the Vetting Committee.

(7) The National Council may, by a resolution, create additional Standing Committees as it deems fit.

3. THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(1) Subject to such directions as the National Council may issue, the National Executive Committee shall be responsible for directing and overseeing the operations and activities of the Party.

(2) The National Executive Committee shall, in consultation with the Presidential Candidate, develop the campaign structure for the general elections and establish a Campaign Advisory Committee to oversee the national campaign of the Party.

(3) The National Executive Committee shall consist of the:

(i)    National Chairperson

(ii)    Former Presidents

(iii)    Former Vice Presidents

(iv)    President

(v)    Vice-President

(vi)    Presidential Candidate

(vii)    Presidential Running Mate

(viii)    Former Presidential Candidates

(ix)    Former Presidential Running Mates

(x)    National 1^st Vice-Chairperson

(xi)    National 2^nd Vice-Chairperson

(xii)    National 3^rd Vice-Chairperson

(xiii)    General Secretary

(xiv)    Two (2) Deputy General Secretaries

(xv)    National Treasurer

(xvi)    Party’s Parliamentary Leader

(xvii)    Former Majority and Minority Leaders

(xviii)    National Organiser

(xix)    Two (2) Deputy National Organisers

(xx)    National Communications Director

(xxi)    Chairperson of the National Council of Elders

(xxii)    National Women Organiser

(xxiii)    Two (2) Deputy National Women Organisers

(xxiv)    National Youth Organiser

(xxv)    Two (2) Deputy National Youth Organisers

(xxvi)    National Nasara Organiser

(xxvii)    Two (2) National Deputy Nasara Organisers

(xxviii)    Regional Chairpersons or their representatives

(xxix)    Two (2) representatives of the Parliamentary Group

(xxx)    One (1) representative of the Founding Members

(xxxi)    One (1) representative of the National Patrons

(xxxii)    Three (3) representatives of the External Branches

(xxxiii)    Chairpersons of Standing Committees of National Council and Directors at the Party National Headquarters

(4) The three representations from Parliament comprising the Parliamentary Leader and the two (2) representatives of the Parliamentary Group shall include at least one (1) woman.

(5) Former National Chairpersons, former General Secretaries and such other members as the National Executive Committee may determine, shall be entitled to attend meetings of the National Executive Committee, but without the right to vote.

(6) National Officers shall be elected at a National Delegates Conference by a simple majority of the votes cast, and shall hold office for four (4) years. Nomination of such Officers shall be lodged with the General Secretary not later than fourteen (14) days before the National Delegates Conference. The National Officers may seek re-election.

(7) The National Executive Committee shall meet at least once every three (3) months. The presence of at least one-third (1/3) of the Members of the National Executive Committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the Committee.

(8) The National Executive Committee may form such Committees, including Sector Committees and Sub-committees, as may be considered necessary and expedient, and may co-opt any Member into such Committees.

(9) The National Executive Committee may constitute the Party’s Sector Committees whose membership shall include Members of Parliament and non-Members of Parliament, but who have the requisite knowledge and experience in the relevant sectors.

(10) Sector Committees shall assist the National Executive Committee in defining the Party’s policies on national issues; in monitoring the activities of the various departments of government and in such other matters as the National Executive Committee may determine.

(11) Sector Committees shall present quarterly reports on their activities to the National Executive Committee and present positional papers during the National Delegates Conference for adoption.

(12) Any vacancy, which may occur for whatever reason in the membership of the National Executive Committee, shall be filled in the following manner: in the case of the National Chairperson by the National 1st Vice-Chairperson and the other National Vice-Chairpersons in descending order as the occasion may require; and in the case of the National 3rd Vice-Chairperson, the General Secretary, the National Treasurer and the National Organiser, by election by the National Executive Committee of another National Officer to hold such office. In the case of the National Women’s Organiser, the National Youth Organiser and the National Nasara Organiser, the National Executive Committee shall request the bodies they represent to nominate someone to act in their place.

(13) Any person elected or appointed to fill a vacancy shall vacate his office at the same time as the other National Officers end their term of office.

4. THE NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON

(1) The National Chairperson shall be the Leader of the Party.

(2) The National Chairperson shall chair the Campaign Advisory Committee appointed by the National Executive Committee in consultation with the Presidential Candidate.

(3) The National Chairperson shall preside over all meetings of the National Delegates Conference, National Extraordinary Delegates Conference, the National Congress, the National Council, the National Executive Committee and the National Steering Committee of the National Executive Committee.

(4) The National Chairperson shall be the convener of all the meetings of the National Delegates Conference, National Extraordinary Delegates Conference, the National Congress, the National Council, the National Executive Committee and the National Steering Committee of the National Executive Committee.

(5) In the event that the National Chairperson fails to convene a meeting, a written resolution by a quarter of the total membership of the National Steering Committee, the National Executive Committee, the National Council, or the National Delegates Conference, where appropriate, shall be sufficient to compel the convening of a meeting with stated agenda communicated through the resolution.

(6) The National Chairperson shall not be a candidate for the office of President of the Republic or Member of Parliament.

5. THE NATIONAL VICE-CHAIRPERSONS

(1) There shall be three (3) National Vice-Chairpersons, ranked first, second and third, according to the number of votes received at the election at the National Delegates Conference.

(2) The National 1st Vice-Chairperson, being the most senior, shall act in the absence of the National Chairperson, and the others in descending order, as the occasion may require.

(3) The National Vice-Chairpersons shall assist the National Chairperson in the running of the Party and shall be assigned such duties as may be prescribed by the National Council, the National Executive Committee and the National Chairperson.

6. THE GENERAL SECRETARY

(1) The Party shall have a National Secretariat, which shall be headed by the General Secretary, who shall be a full-time employee of the Party.

(2) The General Secretary shall be assisted by two Deputy General Secretaries, who shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee in consultation with the National Council.

(3) The National Secretariat shall be headed by the General Secretary, and shall consist of the following: the National Treasurer, National Organiser, National Communications Director, Director of Finance and Administration, Director of Campaign Strategy, Director of Information Technology (IT), Director of Research, Director of Electoral Affairs, Director of External Affairs, Director of Protocol, Director of Legal Affairs, Director of Policy, Director of Training and Capacity Building and such other personnel as the National Executive Committee may appoint.

(4) The remuneration, terms and conditions of service of the General Secretary, National Organiser and other personnel at the National Secretariat shall be determined by the National Chairperson with the approval of the National Executive Committee.

(5) The General Secretary shall be responsible for overseeing the operations of the Party’s National Secretariat and coordinating the activities and operations of the Party and of all employees of the Party at Polling Station, Electoral Area, Constituency, Regional, External Branch and National levels.

(6) The General Secretary shall perform his functions in accordance with the directives of the National Executive Committee and the National Chairperson.

(7) The General Secretary shall, within one (1) month prior to the holding of the National Delegates Conference, submit to the National Executive Committee a report on the state of the Party. Upon approval by the National Executive Committee, the General Secretary shall submit the report to the National Delegates Conference.

(8) The General Secretary shall not be a candidate for the office of President of the Republic or Member of Parliament.

7. THE NATIONAL TREASURER

(1) The National Treasurer shall be responsible for handling the national funds of the Party and shall see to their proper disbursement in accordance with applicable laws.

(2) The National Treasurer shall report to the General Secretary.

(3) The National Treasurer shall prepare a monthly report on the state of the Party’s finances to the General Secretary through the Finance Committee.

(4) The National Treasurer shall, prior to the beginning of each financial year, prepare budgetary estimates for the Party’s operations for approval by the Finance Committee, which shall submit the budgetary estimates to the National Executive Committee, through the General Secretary, for approval.

(5) The National Treasurer shall, not less than one (1) month prior to the holding of the National Delegates Conference, submit to the National Executive Committee, through the General Secretary, a report on the state of the Party’s finances. Upon approval by the National Executive Committee, the National Treasurer shall present the report to the National Delegates Conference.

(6) The National Treasurer shall not be a candidate for the office of President of the Republic or Member of Parliament.

8. THE NATIONAL ORGANISER

(1) The National Organiser shall be responsible for the management of the organisational work of the Party.

(2) The National Organiser shall be assisted by two Deputy National Organisers, who shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee in consultation with the National Council.

(3) The National Organiser shall be responsible for organising membership drives, establishing contacts at all levels among voters, setting up and maintaining local branches, and organise both in-party and voter education exercises.

(4) The National Organiser shall perform his functions in accordance with the directives of the National Executive Committee and the General Secretary.

(5) Once every quarter, the National Organiser shall submit a comprehensive report of his activities regarding the state of the Party’s organisation to the General Secretary.

9. THE NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

(1) The National Communications Director shall be responsible for the management of the Party’s communications.

(2) The National Communications Director shall be assisted by such number of Deputies as may be appointed by the National Executive Committee in consultation with the National Council.

(3) The National Communications Director shall perform his functions in accordance with the directives of the National Executive Committee.

(4) The National Communications Director shall submit a comprehensive report of his activities regarding the state of the Party’s communications every quarter to the General Secretary.

10. NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(5) There shall be a National Steering Committee of the National Executive Committee, which shall be responsible for overseeing the daily management of the Party and shall act on behalf of the Party on urgent matters. The National Steering Committee shall report on its activities to the National Executive Committee.

(6) The National Steering Committee shall consist of the following Members, the:

(a)    National Chairperson;

(b)    National Vice-Chairpersons;

(c)    Presidential Candidate;

(d)    Party’s Parliamentary Leader;

(e)    Chairperson of the Council of Elders;

(f)    General Secretary;

(g)    National Treasurer;

(h)    National Organiser;

(i)    National Communications Director;

(j)    National Women Organiser;

(k)    National Youth Organiser; and

(l)    Nasara Organiser.

(7) Seven (7) members of the Steering Committee, including the National Chairperson, or, in his absence, the 1^st Vice Chairperson, shall be present at a meeting to constitute a quorum of the Committee.

(8) The National Steering Committee of the National Executive Committee shall appoint a National Officer who will supervise Regional Officers’ elections.

(1) The Constituency Executive Committee, with prior approval of the Regional Executive Committee, may remove from office a Polling Station or Electoral Area Officer, as the case may be, upon receipt of a petition from a Member.

(2) Whenever forty percent (40%) of the delegates that elect Constituency, Regional and National Officers, as the case may be, submit a written petition to the Regional or National Executive Committee, as the case may be, demanding the removal of any elected Officer, the Executive Committee, which receives such petition, shall, within one (1) week of receipt of the petition, circulate such petition to all delegates affected.

(3) The petition for the removal of an Officer shall be on stated grounds under article 4(7)(1). A copy of the petition shall be given to the affected Officer, who shall be given the opportunity to be heard by a body constituted by the Executive Committee, which body shall be constituted within two (2) weeks of receipt of the petition.

(4) The body constituted by the Executive Committee shall within one (1) month of receipt of the written petition make a determination on the petition.

(5) Where the body constituted by the Executive Committee finds that the elected officer ought to be removed from office, the Executive Committee shall within one (1) month of receipt of the body’s findings, summon an Extraordinary Delegates Conference to deliberate and decide on the finding by the body constituted.

(6) In the case of the demand for the removal of a Constituency Officer, the written petition shall be submitted to the Regional Executive Committee. With respect to the removal of a Regional Officer, the written petition shall be submitted to the National Executive Committee, while, in the case of the removal of a National Executive Officer, the written petition shall be submitted to the National Council.

(7) Upon receipt of the written petition, the Constituency, Regional, National Executive Committee or National Council, as the case may be, may suspend the Officer from acting in his office pending the holding of the Extraordinary Delegates Conference.

(8) The notice summoning the Extraordinary Delegates Conference shall specify the agenda, and the approval for the removal of the Officer shall be by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast at the Conference. Refusal by the Conference to approve the removal of the Officer shall automatically terminate his suspension, if any, from office.

(9) Clauses 1 to 8 herein shall not apply to Appointed Officers, who may be removed in the case of a Constituency Officer by the Constituency Executive Committee with prior approval of the Regional Executive Committee; and in the case of a Regional Officer by the Regional Executive Committee with prior approval of the National Executive Committee; and in the case of a National Officer by the National Executive Committee with prior approval of the National Council.

(10) Sanctions imposed on an Officer by a Disciplinary Committee under Article 4 shall be without prejudice to proceedings under this article.

(11) The provisions of Article 11 are without prejudice to the sanctions that may be imposed on an elected Officer pursuant to disciplinary proceedings against that Officer.

(1) No member shall be nominated or endorsed as the Party’s candidate in any parliamentary election, unless the Member has been selected in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(2) The selection of Parliamentary Candidates shall be advertised for eighteen 18 months prior to the date of the national elections, provided that it shall be advertised for one (1) month in the Constituency.

(3) Parliamentary Candidates shall be elected not later than twelve (12) months before the national general election. For the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Committee shall have the power to determine separate dates for elections in Constituencies where the Party has Members of Parliament.

(4) A member applying for nomination as the Party’s Parliamentary Candidate should be a known and active member for at least two (2) years, provided that, in appropriate cases, the National Executive Committee, in consultation with the Regional and Constituency Executives, may dispense with this requirement.

(5) A member applying for nomination as the Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for any Constituency shall be a registered member and a voter in the Constituency, which he seeks to represent, provided that, in appropriate cases, the National Executive Committee, in consultation with the Regional and Constituency Executives, may dispense with this requirement.

(6) Any Member may, prior to the expiry date of the period set out in article 12(2), submit an application for nomination as the Party’s Parliamentary Candidate.

(7) No Member shall be entitled to apply for nomination as the Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for any Constituency unless he:

(a)    is a known and active Member of at least (2) years;

(b)    is a registered Member and a voter in the Constituency which he seeks to represent, provided that, in appropriate cases, the Constituency Executive Committee may dispense with this requirement;

(c)    is of good character;

(d)    is in good standing;

(e)    has paid the prescribed fee for Parliamentary Candidates by the deadline set by the National Executive Committee;

(f)    qualifies under the electoral laws to be a Parliamentary Candidate for the Constituency; and

(g)    has signed the “Undertaking for Parliamentary Candidates”.

(8) It shall be the obligation of the Member seeking nomination as the Party’s Parliamentary Candidate to satisfy the Constituency Executive Committee, the Regional Executive Committee and the National Executive Committee that the conditions stipulated in article 12 (7) have been fulfilled, and any application which does not comply with these conditions shall be rejected.

(9) The Party’s Parliamentary Candidate shall be elected by the following delegates:

(i)    All members of the Constituency Executive Committee

(ii)    All members of the Electoral Area Executive Committee

(iii)    All Polling Station Executives in the Constituency

(iv)    Five (5) members of the Constituency Council of Elders

(v)    Five (5) Constituency Patrons

(vi)    Any founding member from the Constituency, who is a signatory to the registration documents of the Party at the Electoral Commission

(vii)    National Officers who vote in the Constituency

(viii)    Regional Officers who vote in the Constituency

(ix)    Party card-bearing Ministers who vote in the Constituency

(x)    Party card-bearing Deputy ministers who vote in the Constituency

(xi)    Party card-bearing MMDCES who voter in the constituency

(xii)    Former Members of Parliament of the Constituency

(xiii)    Former Parliamentary Candidates of the Constituency

(xiv)    Former Party card-bearing MMDCES who vote in the Constituency

(xv)    Former Party card-bearing Ministers who vote in the Constituency

(xvi)    Former Party card-bearing Deputy Ministers who vote in the Constituency

(xvii)    Former National Executives who vote in the Constituency

(xviii)    Former Regional Executives who vote in the Constituency

(xix)    Former Constituency Executives

(10) National Officers, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors, Directors General, Deputy Chief Executive Officers, Deputy Managing Directors, Deputy Directors General and other Government Appointees who file to contest to become Parliamentary Candidates of the Party in a Constituency with a sitting Member of Parliament, shall resign their positions at least twelve (12) months to the national general elections.

(11) Where the Parliamentary Primaries are held earlier than twelve (12) months to the national general elections, the National Officers, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors, Directors General, Deputy Chief Executive Officers, Deputy Managing Directors, Deputy Directors General and Other Government Appointees who file to contest to become Parliamentary Candidates of the Party in a Constituency with a sitting Member of Parliament, shall resign before filing their nominations.

1. NOTICE OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

(1) The election of the Party’s Presidential Candidate shall be held not later than twenty-four (24) months from the date of the national election. The date and venue for the election shall be decided by the National Council, provided, however, that the National Council may, on appropriate occasions, vary the date.

(2) When the Party is in government, the election of a Presidential Candidate shall be held not later than eighteen (18) months before the national general elections.

(3) The General Secretary shall give notice inviting applications from Members for nomination as the Party’s Presidential Candidate three (3) months prior to the holding of the Presidential Primaries and shall close after two (2) months.

(4) The notice shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the Party’s Constituency, Regional and National Offices, and shall specify the closing date for application, which shall not be more than five (5) months to the holding of the election.

(5) Any Member may, prior to the expiry of the period set out in article 13(3), submit an application for nomination as the Party’s Presidential Candidate.

(6) Any National Officer, Minister, Deputy Minister or MMDCE, who files to contest to become the Presidential Candidate of the Party, shall resign his position not later than twenty-four (24) months to the national general elections.

(7) No Member shall be entitled to nomination as the Party’s Presidential Candidate unless the Member:

(a)    is a known and active Member of at least five (5) years;

(b)    is of good character;

(c)    is in good standing;

(d)    has paid the prescribed fee for a Presidential Aspirant by the deadline set by the National Executive Committee;

(e)    is found to be qualified to be a Presidential Candidate by the Vetting Committee;

(f)    has signed the “Undertaking for Presidential Aspirants”; and

(g)    has the nomination endorsed in writing by at least ten (10) Members in good standing from each region.

(8) It shall be the obligation of the Member, seeking nomination as the Party’s Presidential Candidate, to satisfy the National Executive Committee that the conditions stipulated in article 13 (7) have been fulfilled, and any application which does not comply with these conditions shall be rejected.

2. DELEGATES OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

(1) The Party’s Presidential Candidate shall be elected by the following delegates:

(a)    All Members of the National Council

(b)    All voting Members of the National Executive Committee

(c)    All Voting Members of the Regional Delegates Conference comprising:

      (i) All Members of the Regional Executive Committee;

      (ii) All Members of Parliament in the Region;

      (iii) All Members of the Constituency Executive Committees;

      (iv) All Regional representatives on the National Council;

      (v) Ten (10) Members of the Council of Elders in the Region;

      (vi) Ten (10) Patrons in the Region;

      (vii) The TESCON President from each recognized tertiary institution in the Region;

      (viii) The Regional TESCON Coordinator and

      (ix) All Founding Members from the Region, who are signatories to the registration documents of the Party at the Electoral Commission.

(d)    All voting Members of the Constituency Delegates Conference comprising:

      (i) All Members of the Constituency Executive Committee;

      (ii) All Members of the Electoral Area Executive Committee;

      (iii) All Polling Station Executives in the Constituency;

      (iv) Five (5) members of the Constituency Council of Elders;

      (v) Five (5) Constituency Patrons;

      (vi) Any Founding Member from the Constituency, who is a signatory to the registration documents of the Party at the Electoral Commission;

      (vii) National Officers who vote in the Constituency; and

      (viii) Regional Officers who vote in the Constituency.

(e)    All Members of the National Council of Elders

(f)    Thirty (30) National Patrons to be elected from among themselves

(g)    All Party Members of Parliament

(h)    All former Party Members of Parliament

(i)    All former Party Parliamentary Candidates

(j)    All Party card-bearing Ministers and Deputy Ministers

(k)    All Party card-bearing former Ministers and Deputy Ministers

(l)    All Party card-bearing MMDCES

(m)    All Party card-bearing former MMDCES

(n)    All former National Officers

(o)    All former Regional Executive Committee Members

(p)    All former Constituency Executive Committee Members

(q)    Three (3) representatives of each of the Special Organs of the Party

(r)    All Members of the External Branch Executives

(s)    All former Members of the External Branch Executives

(t)    Founding Members who are signatories to the registration documents of the Party at the Electoral Commission

(u)    The National TESCON Coordinator

(v)    One [1] Patron from each recognized tertiary institution

(2) Every delegate shall be entitled to one vote.

3. VOTING IN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES:

(1) Where there is only one (1) contestant for the nomination as the Party’s Presidential Candidate, the National Congress shall acclaim the nominee as the Party’s Presidential Candidate.

(2) Where there is more than one (1) contestant, each delegate will cast his vote by secret ballot for one of the contestants.

(3) Where a contestant obtains more than fifty percent (50%) of the votes cast, he shall be the Party’s Presidential Candidate.

(4) Where, however, no candidate obtains more than 50% of the vote cast, there shall be a run-off between the first two contestants, and the contestant with a simple majority shall be the Party’s Presidential Candidate.

(5) In the event of a tie between the two contestants, the run-off will continue until one contestant obtains a simple majority.

(6) The National Executive Committee, in consultation with the National Council, shall make rules and regulations governing the organisation and conduct of elections of a Presidential Candidate.

4. QUALIFICATION AND SELECTION OF THE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE:

(1) The Party’s Presidential Candidate shall, in consultation with the National Council, nominate the Vice-Presidential Candidate.

(2) The Vice-Presidential Candidate shall be a known and active Member of at least five (5) years, and shall be nominated by the Presidential Candidate at least twelve (12) months before the general elections, when the Party is not in government, or the President is not the Candidate. The National Council may, however, dispense with this requirement under special circumstances.

(1) The Party’s Members of Parliament shall form the Parliamentary Group, which shall have rules and regulations, consistent with this Constitution, to govern its activities.

(2) The election of the Leader, the Deputy Leader, the Chief Whip and the Deputy Chief Whip of the Parliamentary Group shall be done by the National Council.

(3) The National Council and the National Executive Committee shall, respectively, review each year, the performance of the Parliamentary Leadership and Spokespersons with a view to making appropriate changes, where necessary.

(4) The Parliamentary Leader and two (2) other representatives of the Parliamentary Group, shall be members of the National Executive Committee, and one (1) representative of the Parliamentary Group shall be a member of the National Disciplinary Committee.

(5) The Parliamentary Leader shall be a member of the National Steering Committee of the National Executive Committee, and Parliamentary Spokespersons shall be members of the Party’s Sector Committees.

(1) The following are the Special Organs of the Party:

(a)    The National Women’s Wing;

(b)    The National Youth Wing; and

(c)    The National Nasara Wing.

(2) The National Council may, by a resolution of the Council, expand the categories of Special Organs as it deems fit.

1. THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S WING

(1) The National Women’s Wing is a Special Organ within the Party, which promotes the policies and programmes of the Party amongst women.

(2) Its responsibilities are to:

(a)    recruit women into the membership of the Party;

(b)    cultivate the support of women for the Party before, during and after elections;

(c)    raise public awareness on gender and children’s issues;

(d)    promote policies that will realize the full potential of women and children;

(e)    oppose vigorously policies and practices that militate against the full development of women and children;

(f)    create a nationwide organisation within the Party to cater for the activities and interests of female Members.

(3) There shall be a National Women Organiser who shall be elected at a National Delegates Conference.

(4) Every female delegate at the National Delegates Conference shall be eligible to vote for the position of National Women Organiser.

(5) The National Women Wing shall have rules and regulations to govern its activities, including holding a special conference for the elections of its officers, which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

(6) The National Women Organiser shall be a member of the National Steering Committee, the National Executive Committee and the National Council.

(7) The National Women Organiser shall be assisted by two Deputy National Women Organisers, who shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee in consultation with the National Council.

2. THE NATIONAL YOUTH WING

(1) The National Youth Wing is a Special Organ within the Party, which promotes the policies and programmes of the Party amongst the youth. (“Youth” is a Member who has not attained the age of forty [40] years).

(2) Its responsibilities are to:

(a)    recruit the youth into membership of the Party;

(b)    cultivate the support of the youth for the Party before, during and after elections;

(c)    raise public awareness about the problems facing the youth, including educational standards and unemployment;

(d)    promote policies that will realise the full potential of the youth, including policies to improve the quality of education and to widen access of the youth to quality education;

(e)    oppose vigorously policies and practices that militate against the full development of the youth;

(f)    establish branches of the Party in second cycle and tertiary institutions of learning in all parts of the country;

(g)    create a nationwide organisation within the Party to cater for the activities and interest of young Members.

(3) There shall be a National Youth Organiser who shall be elected at a National Delegates Conference.

(4) Every youth delegate at the National Delegates Conference shall be eligible to vote for the position of the National Youth Organiser.

(5) The National Youth Wing shall have rules and regulations to govern its activities, including holding a special Conference for the election of its officers, which shall be consistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

(6) The National Youth Organiser shall be a member of the National Steering Committee, the National Executive Committee and the National Council.

(7) The National Youth Organiser shall be assisted by two Deputy National Youth Organisers, who shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee in consultation with the National Council.

3. THE NATIONAL NASARA WING

(1) The National Nasara Wing is a Special Organ within the Party, which promotes the policies and programmes of the Party in Zango Communities in and outside Ghana.

(2) Its responsibilities are to:

(a)    recruit residents of Zango Communities into the membership of the Party;

(b)    cultivate the support of residents of Zango Communities for the Party before, during and after elections;

(c)    raise public awareness on issues affecting Zango Communities;

(d)    promote policies that will realize the full potential of residents of Zango Communities;

(e)    oppose vigorously policies and practices that militate against the full development of residents of Zango Communities;

(f)    create a nationwide organisation within the Party to cater for the activities and interest of residents of Zango Communities;

(3) The Nasara Wing shall have rules and regulations to govern its activities, including holding a special Conference for the election of its officers, which shall be consistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

(4) There shall be a National Nasara Organiser who shall be elected at a National Delegates Conference.

(5) The National Nasara Organiser shall be a member of the National Steering Committee, the National Executive Committee and the National Council.

(6) The National Nasara Organiser shall be assisted by two (2) National Deputy Nasara Organisers, who shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee in consultation with the National Council.

(1) There shall be a National Council of Elders composed of Members, who have given of their best and have contributed significantly to the formation, welfare and progress of the Party and its forbears. The members of the National Council of Elders shall elect their own Chairperson and other officers.

(2) The National Council of Elders may be called upon from time to time to:

(a)    solve disputes and differences among Members;

(b)    give ideas and advice for the improvement of the Party’s activities;

(c)    assist in raising funds for the Party;

(3) The National Executive Committee shall approve the nomination of outstanding party elders to the list of the National Council of Elders. The list shall be prepared by the National Chairperson in consultation with the Regional Chairpersons.

(4) An Elder is a Member who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years and more.

(5) All Members of the National Council of Elders shall have voting rights at the National Delegates Conference and Presidential Primaries.

(6) The membership of the National Council of Elders shall not exceed thirty (30) at any given time. The National Council may, by a resolution and in consultation with the National Executive Committee, approve the expansion of the membership of the Council of Elders beyond the number herein specified.

(7) The Chairperson and four (4) other members of the National Council of Elders shall be members of the National Council.

(8) The Chairperson of the National Council of Elders shall be a member of the National Steering Committee, the National Executive Committee and the Vetting Committee.

(9) A representative of the National Council of Elders shall be a member of the National Disciplinary Committee.

(10) Each Region shall have a Regional Council of Elders, composed of Members who have made significant contribution at the Regional and Constituency level to the formation, welfare and progress of the Party and its forbears. The members of the Regional Council of Elders shall elect their own Chairperson and other officers.

(11) The Regional Executive Committees shall approve the nomination of deserving Party Elders in the Region or the Constituencies to the list of the Regional Council of Elders, and new entrants shall be decided by the Regional Executive Committee.

The National Council shall appoint a firm of auditors to audit the accounts of the Party to be presented at the National Delegates Conference. Their term of office shall expire at the end of each National Delegates Conference, but they may be re-appointed for a further period.

The National Council may make separate rules and regulations of the Party to supplement the provisions of this Constitution. The rules and regulations may provide the guidelines for the operations of the Party at all levels.

Every amendment to this Constitution shall be made at the National Delegates Conference, provided, however, that no amendment shall be made unless:

(1) the General Secretary formally invites proposals for amendment to the Constitution;

(2) the proposals for amendment have been submitted in writing to the General Secretary not later than two (2) months before the National Delegates Conference;

(3) the General Secretary has circulated the proposals for amendment to every Regional and Constituency office at least one (1) month before the National Delegates Conference;

(4) at least two-thirds (2/3) of the delegates at the National Delegates Conference cast their votes in favour of the amendment.

Upon the coming into force of this Constitution, the Constitution of the Party registered with the Electoral Commission on June 24 1992, as subsequently amended, shall cease to have effect.

DATED THIS 19^TH DAY OF JULY 2025.