Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), claims the party will not postpone its primaries on Saturday, despite calls from Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, one of the flagbearer aspirants.
Mustapha Gbande claimed the credibility of the May 13th primaries is not questionable, as the campaign team of the former Finance Minister seeks to suggest.
Kwabena Duffuor’s team wrote to the General Secretary of the NDC, raising concerns over the alleged incomplete and inaccurate delegates register, expected to be used for the primaries.
However, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in an interview, averred the “claims in the letter are untrue” and that reports that the “party hasn’t provided him a response, is incorrect and untrue.” He also added that the leadership of the party is committed to resolving any concerns raised by any aspirant in the race or party member, in order to maintain the fairness and credibility of the primaries.
“Leadership is committed to resolving every issue raised, so that we can have a credible election. The credibility of these elections is unquestionable, and the processes are clean enough and the processes are very transparent enough and we are committed to conducting a credible election that is not questionable.”
Mustapha Gbande
Mr. Gbande further said the party is following every single provision contained in its constitution to ensure free and fair presidential and parliamentary primaries.
“We have guidelines to adhere to, and we are operating on those guidelines. The process is credible and assuring enough and all the aspirants are aware of this.”
Mustapha Gbande
Duffuor Files Injunction Against NDC Primaries
National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer aspirant, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, filed an interlocutory injunction against the party’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries.
The party heads to the polls on Saturday, May 13, to elect a flagbearer and Members of Parliament, ahead of the 2024 elections. However, the suit is to bar the party and the Electoral Commission from holding the primaries, pending the production of a complete photo album register.
The former Finance Minister also wants the party to deliver the complete register to him, at least five weeks ahead of the election.
According to the plaintiff, data from only 220 out of the 275 constituencies have been verified. An exceptional list of 74,799, has been created, which cannot also be verified because of scanty information. “For no credible reason, 3,910 eligible voters at the 220 constituencies have been disenfranchised”, Dr. Duffuor’s writ read in parts.
He further makes a point that the photo album put out by the electoral directorate of the NDC with the knowledge, consent and tacit approval of the general secretary of the party, would compromise the integrity of the election to his detriment.
“The Plaintiff maintains that the reluctance to extend the time for the internal elections and provide a complete and credible photo album register ahead of time to the presidential aspirants for verification, smacks of a plan to create an undue advantage for manipulation of the presidential primaries”, the motion added.
Kwabena Duffuor had complained of some discrepancies in the party’s voter register and wants the National Executive of the party to postpone the upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries. In an earlier letter to the General Secretary of the NDC, Dr Duffuor’s campaign team said the call is based on the incomplete and inaccurate delegates register, expected to be used for the elections.
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