Bagbin, Others To Exit If Filing Fee Is Not Reviewed
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Alban S.K Bagbin says presidential aspirants of the National Democratic Congress will advise themselves if the party’s Council of Elders fail to impress on the national executives to reduce the GHȼ400,000 filing fee.
He said it is not the nature of the party; which is 'socially democratic' to impose such huge fee on its members just because they want to serve their country.
Hon Bagbin is one of the flagbearer hopefuls of the NDC; except former President John Mahama who have teamed up to fight a decision by the party to charge a whopping GHS 400,000 as filing fees for candidates who wish to lead the party into the 2020 general elections.
Speaking in an interview with Kwami Sefa-Kayi on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo', Hon Bagbin said it is the responsibility of the party to help in organisation of events and not aspirants.
If you may recall, the General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia had said the reason for imposing such huge amount of money on the aspirants is for the party to be able to organise the upcoming presidential primary.
However, Bagbin says: that is not NDC at all…The responsibility to organize primaries is for the party. It is not to be put on the shoulders of those aspiring to serve the nation…you cannot isolate the aspirants and then go for the kill. Until we do what is right, on principle, we will not be part of what is happening"
According to him, "the cost of the form should not be less than GHC5000 while filing fees go for GHC100,000" apart from that, "the 10 days (for filing of forms) is also not enough"
Background
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NDC had announced that all male flagbearer aspirants of the party will pay GHc400,000 as filing fee while female flagbearer aspirants will pay GHc200,000.
Persons with disability who wish to contest the position are expected to pay GHc150, 000.
In addition, the nomination form for the NDC flagbearer slot has also been pegged at GHS20, 000, with all aspirants having 10 days to officially file.
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