National Democratic Congress begins constituency elections for 15,000 aspirants

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has commenced its constituency executive elections across 276 constituencies nationwide, with approximately 15,000 aspirants contesting for leadership positions. This internal electoral process, held primarily on October 24 and 25, 2026, serves as a foundational step in the governing party’s reorganization strategy following the inauguration of President John Mahama. The elections aim to establish a robust leadership structure at the grassroots level to prepare the party for the 2028 general elections. While most constituencies are witnessing competitive races, Deputy Director of Elections Mahdi Jibril noted that areas such as Juabeso and Banda will have candidates running unopposed.

To ensure the integrity of the process, General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey announced a strict ban on tally voting for eight specific positions. Delegates must present valid identification, including the Ghana Card, Voter ID, or party membership card, before being allowed to vote. The party has coordinated closely with the Electoral Commission to oversee the proceedings. In some areas, local adjustments were made to facilitate the process; for instance, Ketu South began its polls early on October 23 with an additional polling station to manage delegate flow, despite a brief delay in the start time. In Wenchi, over 1,300 delegates are expected to decide the fate of 60 candidates at the Jubilee Park.

Security for the elections is being handled exclusively by the Ghana Police Service, with party officials in constituencies like New Juaben South and Afadzato South explicitly ruling out the use of party task forces. Majority Leader and Builsa North MP James Agalga has urged members to maintain peace and avoid character attacks, emphasizing that internal unity is paramount. He cautioned that individual ambitions should not jeopardize the party's collective goals for 2028. Similar calls for unity were echoed by leadership in Kpando and the Upper East Region, where officials encouraged aspirants to accept the results in good faith to protect the party's cohesion.

Following the conclusion of these constituency contests, the NDC is scheduled to hold regional executive elections on November 14 and 15, 2026. The reorganization process will culminate in the National Congress on December 19, 2026, where national officers will be elected. This structured transition is designed to renew the party’s mandate and strengthen its internal democracy across all levels of governance. Observers, such as those in Ho Central, have noted that these elections also provide an opportunity to address broader issues, including the need for increased women's participation in executive roles beyond the traditional Women Organiser positions.