Seventeen aspirants have failed to complete the nomination process for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) national executive elections after only 121 of the 138 people who picked nomination forms successfully submitted them.
The development emerged on Monday, November 9, when the party’s Elections Committee announced the outcome of the three-day nomination exercise, which ended at the NDC national headquarters in Accra.
Spokesperson for the committee, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, said the aspirants were required to obtain endorsements from 160 party members in good standing nationwide to qualify for the next stage of the process.
The 121 submitted nominations will now be scrutinised by the party’s vetting committee to determine whether the candidates meet the requirements to contest the various positions.
The National Chairman position attracted four successful nominations out of five aspirants who initially picked forms. They are incumbent National Vice Chairman Sofo Azorka, former Finance Minister Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, Nii Armah Ashitey and former Deputy Transport Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye.
Former National Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, who also picked nomination forms, failed to submit them before the deadline.
For the National Vice Chairman position, 17 aspirants successfully filed their nominations.
Three other key positions are, however, expected to go unopposed, subject to vetting and certification.
They are General Secretary, where incumbent Fifi Fiavi Kwetey is the sole aspirant; National Organiser, where Joseph Yammin is the only candidate; and National Communications Officer, for which Godwin Ako-Gunn is the sole contender.
Dr Otokunor explained that the three candidates would be considered elected after the required voting and certification procedures, provided they are cleared by the vetting committee.
The National Executive Committee membership position recorded the highest number of contestants, with 48 aspirants filing nominations for the five available slots.
Vetting of the aspirants is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, and Thursday, November 12.
The first day will cover candidates for National Chairman, National Vice Chairman, General Secretary, National Organiser, National Communications Officer, National Youth Organiser, National Women’s Organiser, Deputy National Youth Organiser and Deputy National Women’s Organiser.
On Thursday, the committee will vet aspirants for Deputy General Secretary, Deputy National Organiser, Deputy National Communications Officer, National Zongo Caucus Coordinator and National Executive Committee membership.
Dr Otokunor urged all aspirants to comply with the scheduled arrangements to prevent overcrowding and ensure an orderly exercise.
Candidates who successfully pass the vetting process will be cleared to campaign ahead of the elections.
The NDC National Youth Wing and Women’s Wing elections are scheduled for December 13 and 14, respectively, while the main national executive elections will take place at the party’s Ninth Delegates Congress on December 19.
Dr Otokunor also thanked the media for its coverage of the party’s reorganisation and elections at the branch and constituency levels, and appealed for continued support as the national executive elections approach.
