NDC postpones flagbearer elections

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will postpone the party’s flagbearer election which was slated for 26th of January, 2019, to a later undisclosed date.

According to the hierarchy of the opposition party, this will help them properly streamline the processes for the election which was stalled because of a court case brought against the party by some NDC faithful.

Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ program, General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia explained that the postponement is very necessary, adding that the party leadership will meet to decide on a new date for the flagbearer election.

He also confirmed that the party and it’s two members who secured an injunction against the party’s upcoming elections ahead of election 2020, have agreed to settle the matter out of court.

Abdallah Issah and James Kabu Nartey-Oman sued the party in December over the guideline governing the January 26 presidential primary which has set GHc 300,000.00 filing fee for aspirants.

When the case came up in court Monday, counsel for the NDC, Samuel Cudjoe told the Accra High Court presided over by Mrs. Georgina Mensah-Datsa that they want to attempt an out of court settlement with the two party members.

He requested for three days to initiate and conclude the settlement, and file the terms with the Court on Thursday for adoption.

Christopher King and Victor Adawudu who represented the two plaintiffs confirmed having agreed to negotiate and settle the matter out of court.

Justice Mensah-Datsa consequently adjourned the case to attempt a settlement.

The injunction caused the party to halt the vetting of the aspirants for the January 26 primary.

In the substantive case, the two are seeking a declaration that the published guidelines for the conduct of the primary by the NDC in 2019 was null and void.

According to them, the introduction of specific eligibility criteria as conditions for presidential candidates were at odds with the latter and spirit of the NDC constitution.



They want the court to declare that the procedure adopted by the NDC via the National Executive Committee (NEC), in the preparation and presentation of the guidelines, together with the amendments without prior consultation of the National Council of Elders, were unlawful.

The two are also seeking an order directing the NDC to conduct its 2019 presidential election in a free, fair, transparent and inclusive manner in accordance with the NDC constitution was also sought.

Aspirants

Notwithstanding the injunction, seven aspirants filed their nomination before the deadline.

They included Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin; former Vice Chancellor of University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Joshua Alabi; former President John Mahama, ex-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah and businessman Nurideen Iddrisu, former Minister of Trade and Industry, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah and a cadre, Goosie Tanoh.

According to the programme of activities published by the party, after the filing, aspirants will be vetted between 21st and 22nd December, 2018, followed by balloting on 22nd December, 2018.

Between 22nd and 24th December, 2018, the party will receive appeals, if any, before homing in for the presidential primaries on Saturday, 26th January, 2019.

Source: classfmonline.com