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 Who leads NDC into 2024 elections? …John Mahama, Dr Duffuor, Kojo Bonsu face off today in polls

All is set for the opposi­tion National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) much anticipated presidential and parliamentary prima­ries as delegates of the party across the 275 constituencies vote today to elect the party’s presidential and parliament candidates for the 2024 general elections.

On the presidential ballot are former President John Dramani Mahama, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, a former Finance Min­ister and Kojo Bonsu, a former Metropol­itan Chief Executive of Kumasi in that order.

Whilst Mr Mahama, 64, is seeking to lead the NDC into the presidential election for the fourth time – 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024 – Dr Duffuor, 77 and Mr Bonsu, 62, are in the race for the first time.

At an extraordinary congress in 2012 following the death of President John Mills, Mr Mahama won 99.5 per cent of the votes, got 95.10 per cent in 2015 as sitting president and got 95.24 per cent in a seven-man race in 2019.

The lead up to the contest expected to be held today, was not without contro­versies as the presidential primaries was challenged by Dr Kwabena Duffuor, on grounds that the voters register was bloat­ed and lacked the credibility to be used for the internal polls.

The former Finance Minister on Tuesday filed an injunction suit at the High Court citing “inaccuracies” in the voters register which he said rendered it not fit for the purpose of electing someone to bear the flag of the party into next year’s elections.

“The voter register established basic er­rors and inaccuracies that render the photo album register inaccurate and unreliable for free, fair and credible elections scheduled for May 13, 2023,” Dr Duffuor argued in his suit.

The case, however, was struck out yes­terday following the withdrawal of same by Dr Kwabena Duffuor’s Counsel paving the way for the nationwide elections.

Despite rumours that Dr Duffuor had withdrawn from the race, the Ghanaian Times can confirm that he is still in the race for the flagbearer slot.

A source close to his campaign team revealed that the NDC council of elders had met and advised that the party should address Dr Duffuor’s concerns.

As of the time of going to press, Dr Duffuor was about to hold a press con­ference to state his concerns and the way forward.

The Parliamentary primaries polls, is a race to watch out for, although the election would not be held in 14 other constitu­encies where the process has been put on hold due to unresolved issues.

They are Manhyia South, Adansi Asokwa and Mampong in the Ashanti Region; Ayensuano, Afram Plains South, Lower West Akim, in the Eastern Region; and Ayawaso West Wuogon and Odododiodoo in the Greater Accra Region.

The rest are Tano North in the Ahafo Region; Gomoa Central, Assin North and Effutu in the Central Region, and Amenfi East and Akontombra in the Western and Western North regions respectively.

Additionally, the election of parliamen­tary candidates would not be held in 47 constituencies where there is only one candidate.

With three presidential candidates bat­tling it out, 739 people are aspiring to be elected as parliamentary candidates for the 2024 elections.

In total, 356,624 delegates would be ex­pected to vote in the presidential primary across 420 polling centers.

The delegates comprise of branch, con­stituency, regional and national executives, former national executives, sitting and for­mer Members of Parliament, and former government appointees.

Others are former NDC- appointed Article 71 Office Holders, ministers and deputy ministers, metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives.

The rest are former NDC- appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners, former Members of the Council of State, presidential staffers who fall under Article 71 Office Holders, foreign chapters, Tertia­ry Education Institution Network, cadres and members of the NDC Professional Forum.

BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI

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