NDC orders members to halt early parliamentary campaigning

Pinned summary · as of 05:22

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has told its members to drop any activity that looks like campaigning for a parliamentary seat until the party opens nominations. The instruction came in a statement dated Monday, 14 September, signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, after the party's Functional Executive Committee (FEC) discussed the conduct of some hopefuls.

What we know

• The NDC's National Secretariat directed members to stop immediately any activity connected with a parliamentary bid, whether carried out openly or indirectly.
• According to the party, the FEC took the decision after weighing the actions of members with parliamentary ambitions in various constituencies.
• Members were warned off organising or joining meetings, tours, donations, public appearances and similar events that could be read as promoting a candidacy before nominations open.
• The NDC described such early activity as inappropriate and said it could damage party unity and cohesion.
• The party warned of penalties under its constitution: “Any member who disregards this directive shall be subject to disciplinary action and severe sanctions,” the statement said.
• Party officers at regional, constituency and branch level, among others, were told to make sure the directive is obeyed and to pass any breaches to the relevant party authorities.
• The NDC said it will announce when nominations open, along with the guidelines, at the appropriate time, and that it wants a transparent, orderly and credible way of choosing its parliamentary candidates.
• Members were also asked to honour the party's set procedures and stay orderly while nominations remain closed.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

• ?
  Kumasi Mail alone reports that the NDC has scheduled constituency executive elections for 24 and 25 October 2026, regional contests for November and its National Congress for December. The same report says primary guidelines would be handled after new national executives are elected. Other reports have not confirmed this timetable.
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  The Ghana Report alone says the party is intensifying preparation for internal elections before the 2028 general elections; no other report carries this and the party's statement, as described, does not say it.

Why it matters for Ghana

Aspiring parliamentary candidates in constituencies across Ghana are being asked to hold back visible activity until the NDC sets out its own rules for nominations. Party officers at regional, constituency and branch level now carry the job of watching for breaches, and members who ignore the instruction risk sanctions. Until the party publishes its guidelines, supporters and hopefuls have no official date for when the selection contest starts.