NDC accepts President Mahama’s nomination

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has overwhelmingly accepted the nomination of President John Dramani Mahama as the party’s candidate for the December 2012 polls.

Two thousand, seven hundred and eighty one (2,781) delegates at its extraordinary congress held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, representing 99.5 per cent, gave him their votes. Fourteen (14) delegates voted no and11 ballots were rejected.

He needed 50 plus one votes in the election supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC) to lead the party in the December elections.

The exercise became necessary following the death of President John Evans Atta Mills who had been chosen barely nine months ago by the party at its congress held in Sunyani to lead the NDC to this year’s polls.

The venue for the event erupted into spontaneous and wild jubilation, when Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Kwadwo Sarfo-Kantanka, declared the results.

Dr. Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman, addressing the delegates before voting started, urged the party to stand solidly behind the candidate and that they needed to send strong signals of unity to the people.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Founder of the party, whose arrival at the stadium threw the gathering into frenzy, earlier had congratulated President Mahama on his assumption to the high office of the Presidency.

He reminded him that his victory in the upcoming polls would depend on how quickly he was able to restore integrity to the presidency, his government and the party.

He also underscored the need for civility and an end to insults and vilification of people who had sacrificed for the survival of the NDC.

The party, he said, was composed of people from different political persuasions, groups and interests. It is important that the contribution of each of them is recognized.

Representatives of the various political parties including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP), Progressive People’s Party (PPP), People’s National Convention (PNC) and the United Front Party (UFP) were on hand to show solidarity.

Running through their messages was the need to work together to make the December general elections peaceful and violence-free.

“Advancing the Better Ghana Agenda – Working for You,” was the theme for the congress.