The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Northern Region has organized a fresh balloting exercise for three previously disqualified aspirants who have now been given the green light to contest in the party’s upcoming internal elections scheduled for mid-November.

The three aspirants; Madam Rhodalyn Alice Mbimadong, Hajia Adama Haruna, and Mumuni Mohammed Jallo were initially disqualified by the party’s Vetting Committee.

Madam Mbimadong and Hajia Adama Haruna are vying for the position of Northern Regional Women’s Organiser, while Mumuni Mohammed Jallo is contesting for the Regional Zongo Caucus Coordinator position.

Reason for initial disqualification

Their initial disqualification stemmed from a ruling by the vetting committee that they failed to meet the eligibility requirements set out in Article 8, Clause 2 (1) of the NDC Constitution.

The provision stipulates that any candidate seeking a regional executive role must have previously held an executive position at either the branch or tertiary level of the party.

The disqualifications sparked mixed reactions within the party, with some contestants expressing concern that other candidates who allegedly failed to meet the eligibility criteria were allowed to pass through the vetting process.

Functional Executive Committee intervenes

Unsatisfied with the decision, the three affected aspirants lodged an official appeal with the leadership of the party.

Following a review of their petitions, the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) cleared all three aspirants to re-enter the race for their respective positions.

Fresh balloting organized

On Thursday, October 22, the Northern Regional Director of Elections for the NDC, Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari, supervised a brief re-balloting exercise to assign their positions on the ballot paper for the affected contests.

All three candidates successfully picked their spots on the ballot.

With the balloting successfully concluded, the cleared aspirants have now been given the green light to officially launch their campaigns ahead of the crucial regional executive elections set for mid-November.

By: Mumuni Yirifa Yunus