The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has banned all �auxiliary� groups or associations which were formed prior to the recent presidential primaries of the party.
It explained that such groups were illegal and undermined the Constitution and structures of the NDC. Johnson Aseidu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, who announced this at a news conference in Accra yesterday, said the ban took immediate effect.
He said groups such as �Get Atta Mills Endorsed (GAME)�, �Friends of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings (FONKAR)�, �Old Guards in the Ashanti Region� and �Olonka� were all affected and no one in the NDC should use any mass medium to debate on behalf of any such proscribed groups.
He said the party would also not allow anyone to speak on behalf of the NDC, its founder, Ft Lt Jerry John Rawlings and his family or President John Evans Atta Mills, apart from their official spokespersons.
Mr. Nketia used the forum to roll out guidelines for the election of the party�s 2012 parliamentary candidates in 114 constituencies where the NDC does not have incumbent Member of Parliament. According to him, the parliamentary elections in these constituencies would mark another milestone in the history of the party, particularly after the NDC had completed successful presidential primaries, recently.
The General Secretary said the guidelines were based on Article 43 of the NDC Constitution, but added that all those who must qualify for the elections should also fulfill the provisions of the 1992 constitution, regarding qualification for a Member of Parliament.
Mr. Nketia announced that nominations would open on August 16 when parliamentary aspirants could pick up their forms from their constituencies for a fee of GH�200.
He explained that aspirants should have their nominations endorsed by two members and seconded by four other members who are registered members of the NDC and of good standing in the constituency where they are vying for candidacy. In addition the form should be endorsed by one member from each branch in the constituency.
Mr. Nketia said all completed forms are to be returned to the various constituency offices before September 16, together with GH�2,000 for male aspirants and GH�1,000 for females.When the Times contacted Mr. Kofi Adams, spokesperson for Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings, for his reaction on the banning of the groups he declined to comment.
<<Print>>