The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially closed the picking of nomination forms for its 2026 National Executive Elections, setting the stage for a series of electoral activities expected to culminate in the election of new national executives at the party’s 11th National Delegates Congress.
A statement issued by the party’s National Secretariat and signed by Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Spokesperson for the Congress Elections Committee, disclosed that a total of 137 prospective aspirants had picked nomination forms to contest 14 positions as of the close of nominations at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The development marks a significant step in the NDC’s preparations for the national executive elections, which are expected to shape the party’s leadership, organisational direction and political strategy in the period ahead.
The elections will determine the individuals who will occupy key positions within the party’s national leadership structure, including the National Chairman, General Secretary, National Organiser, National Communications Officer, National Women Organiser and National Youth Organiser.
COMPETITIVE RACE
According to the statement, the position of National Chairman has attracted five prospective aspirants, while 19 candidates have picked nomination forms for the position of National Vice Chairman.
The position of General Secretary has attracted two aspirants, with 11 prospective candidates picking forms to contest the Deputy General Secretary position.
For the National Organiser position, only one prospective aspirant had picked a nomination form by the close of nominations, while 14 candidates had expressed interest in becoming Deputy National Organiser.
The National Communications Officer position has attracted two prospective aspirants, while seven candidates have picked forms to contest the Deputy National Communications Officer position.
In the women’s wing, two aspirants have picked nomination forms for the National Women Organiser position, with four candidates seeking to become Deputy National Women Organiser.
The National Youth Organiser position has attracted four prospective candidates, while six aspirants have picked forms for the Deputy National Youth Organiser position.
Seven prospective candidates have also picked nomination forms to contest the position of National Zongo Caucus Coordinator.
Meanwhile, the National Executive Committee (NEC) membership position has recorded the highest number of prospective aspirants, with 53 candidates picking nomination forms.
The figures suggest varying levels of competition across the party’s national executive positions, with the NEC membership contest attracting the largest number of prospective candidates.
14-DAY DEADLINE
The Congress Elections Committee has given all prospective aspirants 14 days to complete their nomination processes.
During this period, the candidates are expected to complete the required nomination forms, pay the relevant filing fees and fulfil the endorsement requirements stipulated under the party’s electoral guidelines.
The statement said the processes would be conducted in accordance with Sections 10 and 15 of the 2026 Guidelines for the Conduct of the National Congress.
The committee’s emphasis on completing the nomination requirements within the stipulated period means that picking a nomination form alone does not conclude an aspirant’s eligibility process.
Candidates must therefore satisfy the applicable requirements before their nominations can proceed through the party’s established electoral procedures.
NOMINATION FILING IN NOVEMBER
The statement further indicated that the filing of nominations would take place from Saturday, November 7, to Monday, November 9, 2026, at the party’s headquarters at Adabraka in Accra.
The period is expected to provide prospective candidates with the opportunity to submit their completed nomination documents for the necessary administrative and electoral processes.
The committee’s announcement provides a timetable for the next phase of the exercise, as the party moves from the picking of nomination forms to the formal filing of nominations.
The successful completion of the process will be an important step towards determining the final list of candidates eligible to contest the various national executive positions.
LEADERSHIP AND PARTY ORGANISATION
The forthcoming elections are significant to the NDC’s internal democratic processes, as the national executives will be expected to provide political leadership, strengthen the party’s organisational structures and coordinate activities across its regional, constituency and grassroots networks.
The positions to be contested cover major areas of party administration, including general administration, communications, organisation, youth mobilisation, women’s affairs and representation of the Zongo community.
The outcome of the elections is therefore expected to have implications for the party’s internal coordination, mobilisation efforts and engagement with its members and supporters nationwide.
For the aspirants, the nomination process represents the beginning of a crucial phase in their respective campaigns, during which they must satisfy the prescribed requirements and demonstrate their suitability for the positions they seek.
The elections will also provide party delegates with the opportunity to determine the individuals they believe are best placed to lead the NDC at the national level.
NEXT STEPS
With the picking of nomination forms concluded, attention now shifts to the completion of nomination documents, payment of filing fees, endorsement procedures and the formal filing exercise scheduled for November.
The Congress Elections Committee is expected to oversee the relevant processes in line with the party’s 2026 electoral guidelines.
Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, who signed the statement on behalf of the committee, is the designated spokesperson for the Congress Elections Committee.
The announcement did not provide the names of the 137 prospective aspirants or indicate when the final list of qualified candidates would be published.
The NDC’s 2026 National Executive Elections will form part of the preparations for its 11th National Delegates Congress, at which the party’s national leadership is expected to be determined through its established internal electoral procedures.
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