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After many months of speculations and denials, it is now certain that a new party, the National Democratic Party (NDP), which from all indications has the backing of the Rawlingses, has been formed. Some of the leading members of the new party presented the party�s application to the Electoral Commission in Accra on Wednesday for registration as a fully-fledged political entity to contest the 2012 December and future elections. The symbol of the new party is a white flying dove, carrying a �Gye Nyame� emblem against the background of black, red, white and green colours. A former General Secretary of the NDC, Dr Josiah Ayeh is the interim National Chairman while Dr Mamboa Rockon is the interim General Secretary of the new party. A leading member of the NDP, Dr K. Ofei-Agyeman, told graphic.com.gh in Accra Thursday that, �the party also submitted its constitution and other documents to seek its approval to operate as a fully fledged political party and contest the 2012 general election.� �Since the Rawlingses believe in social democratic philosophy, they will not deny their support for the new social democratic party called the NDP,� Dr Ofei-Agyeman said. Explaining the party�s choice of colours, he said, while the black represented the black man and the country�s heritage, the green is for the country�s vegetation and the toil of farmers. The red represents the blood shed in the various struggles of Ghana�s existence with the white being the spirit of holiness and grace. The closest hint about the formation of a party associated with the Rawlingses came from Mr Kofi Adams, the Spokesperson for former President Rawlings who told Adom FM, a Tema-based radio station last month that �Don�t be surprised if a new party is formed with the intention of salvaging an existing party.� Commenting on the issue, the Communications Director of the NDC, Mr James Asante, said it was within their right as Ghanaians to form a new party to contest the December 2012 general election. Ghana�s Fourth Republican history is replete with cases of breakaway parties, but such parties after abysmal performance in general elections find their way back to their roots. Mention can be made of the National Reform Party, the Democratic Freedom Party, both from the NDC stock. While the United Ghana Movement led by Dr Yves Wireko-Brobbey is currently in hibernation and the Reformed Patriotic Party, came from the New Patriotic Party. The Convention People�s Party�s share of breakaway parties is the Progressive People�s Party, which is angling to contest the 2012 elections. But Dr Ofei-Agyemang, who contested the 2008 parliamentary election on the ticket of the NDC in the Ayawaso Constituency, maintained that �the NDP has come to stay. �The party was formed by like-member social democrats who are selfless and yearning to use the country�s natural and human resources for the benefit all.� When contacted, a senior official of the EC confirmed that the party had initiated the process to secure a certificate as a registered political party.