NDC rolls out guidelines for branch executive elections

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rolled out its guidelines for the election of executive members at the branch, constituency, regional and national level throughout the country.

The elections which forms part of the party’s preparation towards Election 2020 would also help party members to elect its flag bearer.

Speaking to the press at the NDC headquarters in Accra today, General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the regulations were designed to ensure the conduct of a free and fair election at all levels.

According to him, the guidelines were made pursuant to articles 36 and 40 of the NDC constitution with approval from the National Executive Council (NEC).

Breaking down the requirements, Mr. Asiedu Nketia said interested persons must be registered members of the party who have been active for two years. An aspirant for any executive position will also be asked to pay a filing fee of five Ghana cedis and be proposed by, at least, one person and seconded by two other people.

“To qualify to contest elections at the branch level, the aspirant must be a paid-up member of the party, which means having paid his first quarter dues. A member of the Constituency Executive Committee or a representative of the Constituency Executive Committee assisted by the branch election committee shall vet and approve the aspirant and also supervise the election. Voting may be either by secret ballot or by consensus and also there shall be no proxy voting.”

The general secretary also appealed to aspirants who will have some disagreement with the election results to go through the right channels to have their issues addressed.

“Any contestant who feels aggrieved by the conduct of the elections may appeal in writing to the constituency executive committee. Where the constituency committee is unable to resolve the matter, an appeal can be laid before the Regional Executive Committee.”

After this election, the NDC is expected to elect its national officers, after which the stage will be set for the election of a flag bearer for the 2020 election, a position which has seen some major party bigwigs like Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, former Trade Minister, Sylvester Mensah, former Presidential Staffer, Alban Bagbin current first deputy Speaker of Parliament and many others all lacing their boots to challenge former President John Dramani Mahama.