Issues with NDC presidential primaries not entirely resolved

Although the National Democratic Congress has said concerns raised by some six presidential aspirants have largely been addressed, some of the aspirants say not much has been resolved.

The aspirants in their latest petition to the NDC’s electoral directorate among other things raised concerns over lack of photos on the party’s voter’s register made available to them, as well as the choice of a printer for the ballot papers.

The aspirants wanted the printing to be given to another company instead of the one that printed the ballot papers used in their national executive election.

But a statement from the NDC said all the issues raised about the presidential primaries were resolved at a meeting with some of the aspirants and their agents held on Wednesday.

The presidential primary is scheduled for February 23, 2019.

“The meeting discussed thoroughly all the modalities that will govern the printing and distribution of electoral materials as well as the election day activities. The issue of the voters’ register was also ironed out with all parties agreeing on the best way forward,” a statement signed by the Chairman of the party’s Electoral Committee, Kofi Attor noted.

According to the statement, Ekwow Spio Garbrah, Sylvester Mensah, and Alban Bagbin were present, while John Dramani Mahama, Goosie Tanoh, Professor Joshua Alabi, and Alhaji Nurideen Iddrissu were represented by their accredited agents.

But Speaking on Eyewitness News, Spio-Garbrah said: “the meeting today was very cordial but it would not be accurate to say all the issues were ironed out with the party.”

“It seems from the nature of the press release that either the problems have been resolved or issues have been ironed out because that is the impression people will get but that is not correct.”

He said the most important decision the party took at the meeting was the proposal for a nine-member committee to be established to decide which form the party’s votersr’ egister should take.

“The most important thing at the meeting as far as I’m concerned was the vision by all parties to establish a nine-member committee made up of all the representatives of all the aspirants and four representatives from the party headquarters, elections directorate and the election committee.”

“Now this committee is supposed to be a technical committee of people who understand what the voters’ register should look like, the kind of identification to be given to each delegate in the register, whether we should use the NDC membership card numbers which are missing in the electoral register sent to us, national voter ID card numbers or telephone numbers and whether we can use photographs,” he added.

Below is the full statement from the NDC:

NDC Flagbearer Electoral Committee Meets With Aspirants

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In the spirit of ensuring greater participation in the processes leading to the Party’s Presidential Primaries scheduled for February 23, 2019, and in response to the letter written by six aspirants, the Electoral Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), met with flagbearer aspirants.

Specifically, Honorable Ekow Spio Garbrah, Honorable Sylvester Mensah, and Honorable ASK Bagbin were present while H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Comrade Goosie Tanoh, Professor Joshua Alabi, and Alhaji Nurideen Iddrissu were represented by their accredited agents. The meeting was held at the Party Headquarters in Adabraka today, Wednesday 30th January 2019.

The meeting discussed thoroughly all the modalities that will govern the printing and distribution of electoral materials as well as the election day activities.

The issue of the voters’ register was also ironed out with all parties agreeing on the best way forward.

The Electoral Committee wishes to assure all Party members that equity and fairness shall guide our work to ensure that the NDC comes out of the Presidential Primaries stronger and poised to work towards securing victory in 2020.

Kofi Attor

(Chairman)

Wednesday 30th January 2019

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey | citinewsroom.com | Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin