The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rolled out new guidelines for its nationwide party primaries, declaring that every aspirant who purchased an Expression of Interest Form will be allowed to contest in the exercise.

The decision was reached after a high-level strategy meeting involving the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), Selection Committee, senior stakeholders and presidential hopeful, Peter Obi.

At the meeting, the party formally adopted the report of its Screening Committee headed by former Ebonyi governor, Sam Egwu, following nearly one week of screening activities across the country.

In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party praised the committee for what it described as a thorough and demanding assignment carried out with professionalism and sacrifice.

The NDC said the compressed political timetable influenced its decision to accommodate all cleared aspirants in the primaries, adding that winners from the exercise would later proceed to the party’s National Secretariat to complete nomination documentation and payment processes.

To ensure smooth conduct of the exercise, the party disclosed that special election teams made up of experienced administrators and senior officials had been dispatched nationwide to coordinate the primaries alongside state leaders and stakeholders.

According to the party, State Assembly primaries will be conducted through direct voting at constituency level, while primaries and affirmations for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and presidential positions will hold at local government headquarters.

The party said the final outcome of the primaries would be officially declared by the Selection Committee and the National Executive Committee (NEC) at the national headquarters.

While urging aspirants to embrace consensus arrangements where necessary, the NDC stressed that unity and internal stability must take precedence over personal ambitions.

The party also reaffirmed its commitment to youth and women inclusion, encouraging delegates to support aspirants with grassroots acceptance and demonstrable electoral strength.

Warning against violence and intimidation, the NDC said it would sanction anyone found engaging in acts capable of disrupting the credibility of the process.

It also announced plans to inaugurate an Appeal Panel to handle petitions and grievances arising from the primaries.

Although the party admitted that time constraints prevented full deployment of its electronic voting and collation system, it assured members that future primaries would be fully digitised to improve transparency and efficiency.

The NDC further called on security agencies, stakeholders and the Independent National Electoral Commission to support peaceful and credible primaries across the federation. (The Guardian)

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