The New Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially adopted the NDC direct primaries system for selecting its candidates in state House of Assembly elections ahead of the forthcoming polls. The decision marks a shift in the party’s nomination structure, giving all registered members direct participation in choosing candidates.
The introduction of NDC direct primaries means that party members across wards and constituencies will vote directly for aspirants, replacing the previous delegate-based system. Party officials said the reform is aimed at strengthening internal democracy, improving transparency, and expanding grassroots involvement in candidate selection.
According to the party leadership, the decision followed internal consultations with national and state executives. The framework was designed to ensure wider participation of members at the local level and reduce disputes often associated with indirect primaries.
Party officials explained that the new system will require aspirants to engage directly with party members in their constituencies. Voting is expected to take place at designated centres across local government areas under procedures to be released by the party’s electoral committee. The primaries process will be guided by internal regulations and supervised by party-appointed monitors.
The party stated that detailed guidelines, timelines, and eligibility requirements for the NDC direct primaries will be communicated to members ahead of the election process. It added that the framework is intended to promote fairness and ensure that candidate selection reflects the preferences of grassroots party members.
Political observers note that direct primary systems are increasingly being adopted by political parties seeking to improve internal democracy and reduce post-election disputes. However, they also point out that such systems may require greater logistical coordination and could increase campaign costs for aspirants participating in the NDC direct primaries.
The NDC leadership maintained that the reform is part of broader efforts to strengthen party structures and improve participation in democratic processes. It added that the NDC direct primaries system will help build stronger accountability between elected candidates and party members.
Analysts say the adoption could reshape internal competition within constituencies, as aspirants will now need to build broader support bases among registered members rather than relying on delegate influence. The outcome of the NDC direct primaries is expected to significantly influence party representation at the state assembly level.
