NDC Closes National Executive Nominations Monday, Sets Stage for December Congress

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will close submissions for its national executive nominations on Monday, November 9, with party officials warning that the deadline will be strictly enforced as the ruling party accelerates its internal reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The filing window opens Saturday, November 7, and runs through Monday, November 9, at the party’s national headquarters at Jerry John Rawlings House in Adabraka, Accra. Submissions will be received daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. .

A Competitive Field

The stakes are high. When nominations opened in October, 137 prospective aspirants picked up forms to contest 14 positions, according to figures released by the party’s National Secretariat . The National Vice Chairman position attracted the highest number of aspirants among key national officer roles, with 19 candidates, followed by Deputy National Organizer with 14 and Deputy General Secretary with 11. Five individuals expressed interest in the National Chairman position, while the National Executive Committee membership recorded the largest pool overall, with 53 prospective candidates .

Among those seeking re-election are Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande and National Organiser Joseph Yammin, both of whom have picked forms to retain their positions, citing the need for experienced leadership ahead of the 2028 contest .

Strict Requirements, No Extensions

Aspirants must submit three copies of completed nomination forms, an updated curriculum vitae, a vision statement, original academic certificates, a postcard-sized photograph with a red background, and proof of payment of the prescribed filing fee. Only those who have paid the fee will be eligible to submit, the party has said .

Mahdi Gibril, the party’s Director of Elections and IT, warned that the deadline would not be extended. “If you are not able to file before 5:00 pm on the 9th of November, it means that you are out of the contest,” he said, emphasizing that completing the online process alone would not constitute a valid filing—aspirants must physically present their endorsed documents .

Vetting and Appeals

Vetting of aspirants is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13, at the National Secretariat. The first day will cover positions including National Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, General Secretary, National Organiser, National Communication Officer, National Youth Organiser and National Women Organiser, along with their respective deputies. The second day will focus on Deputy General Secretaries, Deputy National Organisers, Deputy National Communication Officers, the National Zongo Caucus Coordinator and other National Executive Committee positions .

Balloting for positions on the ballot paper will take place immediately after vetting and will involve only those declared qualified . An appeals process has been scheduled for Sunday, November 15, and Monday, November 16 .

Regional Elections Precede National Congress

Ahead of the national congress, the NDC will hold its Regional Youth and Women Conference on Friday, November 13, followed by regional executive elections on Saturday, November 14, and Sunday, November 15 . The party has banned proxy voting in the regional polls, requiring every eligible delegate to be physically present and present one of three forms of identification: a valid NDC Party Identification Card, an official accreditation document, or an embossed photograph in the approved voters’ register .

Security at all election centres will be the sole responsibility of the Ghana Police Service, and personal security details accompanying government officials will not be permitted inside voting areas . In the Northern Region, police have announced the deployment of 400 officers for the regional elections in Tamale, warning against intimidation or disruption .

The National Youth and Women Conference is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, at a venue yet to be announced .

Culmination in December

The entire process will culminate in the party’s National Congress on Saturday, December 19, 2026, where new national executives will be elected to steer the party for the next four-year term .

The NDC has urged all regional and constituency executives, aspirants and members to strictly adhere to the electoral timetable, saying compliance is necessary to safeguard the credibility and integrity of the elections. The party expressed appreciation to its members for their discipline and commitment, noting that the unity demonstrated throughout the reorganisation process would strengthen the party as it prepares for the 2028 general elections.

The reorganisation comes as President John Mahama serves his final term under the constitution, with the party seeking to consolidate its organisational strength while managing the transition ahead of the next electoral cycle .