NDC settles the case amicably | Policy

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) was forced to choose a new date for its next internal elections, in order to choose a flag bearer for the party before the 2020 presidential elections.

The decision is part of an amicable settlement agreed between the party and two members who have obtained an injunction against the exercise.

The party originally planned on January 26, 2019, that the primaries elect a potential presidential candidate for the next elections, as the party seeks to wrest power from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

But an injunction obtained by two party members, who challenged the election guidelines and other decisions they consider unconstitutional, means that the party's original plans had to be changed.

Kabu Nartey and Abdallah Issah filed the petition challenging the rules and guidelines set for the presidential election scheduled for January 26, 2019.

The duo, in the suit, explained that the party's guidelines violate Ghana's 1992 Constitution.

They also challenged the introduction of certain eligibility criteria as prerequisites for presidential candidates.

The party and the two injured parties agreed to settle the case amicably and the court granting the injunction subsequently quashed the complaint.

In accordance with the rules, the party and the plaintiffs agreed that a new date for the primaries will be set in accordance with the party's constitution.

The regulation addressed issues related to the guidelines, as they were challenged by the applicants. The parties agreed that the requirement that a CND member aspiring to be a party presidential candidate must be a member in good standing for 10 years no longer applies.

Killer fee

The settlement between the party and the members also includes the establishment of a filing fee of 300 000 GH ¢ for candidates.

According to the regulation, the deposit constitutes a contribution to the costs of the realization of the presidential primaries.

The exorbitant initial filing fee of the party was a matter of contention.

Last December, the national leaders of the NDC set 400 000 GH ¢ and 20 000 GH ¢ for filing and nomination fees respectively for presidential candidates.

Eight of the original thirteen candidates, who were not satisfied with the exorbitant fees, asked the party's Council of Elders to look down on them.

The amount was then reduced to GH ¢ 300 000 after the intervention of former President Jerry John Rawlings, chairman of the Alumni Council and founder of the NDC.

Despite the injunction, seven candidates applied by the deadline.

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

John Mahama, Alban Bagbin, Joshua Alabi and Sly Mensah all applied on Monday, December 17, 2018, while Messrs. Iddrisu, Spio-Garbrah and Tanoh presented their application forms on Tuesday 18 December to generate 2.26 million GH ¢. a party that claims to be broken after only two years of loss of power to the NPP.