About 15,000 aspirants are contesting various executive positions in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) across Ghana’s 276 constituencies as the party undertakes a nationwide reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general elections. Corrections Policy
The constituency executive elections, scheduled for October 24 and 25, 2026, are expected to shape the party’s grassroots leadership and determine who will manage its local structures over the next phase of its political activities.
The exercise forms part of a broader process to renew the party’s leadership from the constituency level through to the regional and national levels.
The large number of aspirants highlights the level of interest in internal party leadership, with candidates competing for positions that influence membership mobilisation, local organisation, communication and political campaigning.
The outcome is particularly significant as the NDC prepares to consolidate its structures and maintain engagement with voters before the next general election.
The positions being contested include constituency chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, deputy secretary, treasurer, deputy treasurer, organiser, deputy organiser, communications officer, deputy communications officer, women’s organiser, deputy women’s organiser, youth organiser and deputy youth organiser. Other roles include representatives and coordinators within the party’s organisational structure.
These executives are expected to coordinate party activities at the constituency level, support branch structures, organise meetings, communicate party policies and mobilise members for political programmes. They also serve as an important link between the party’s national leadership and its members in local communities.
The effectiveness of the newly elected executives could therefore influence how well the party identifies local concerns, maintains internal communication and builds relationships with voters in the lead-up to 2028.
Electoral process and regional arrangements
The elections are being conducted by the Electoral Commission in collaboration with the NDC’s election committees, while the Ghana Police Service is responsible for security during the exercise.
Electoral materials have been dispatched to constituency centres, and police preparations include protecting voting locations, electoral officials and the movement of materials.
The party’s timetable provides for elections across the two-day period, although some constituencies have special arrangements. Ketu South in the Volta Region held its election on Friday, October 23, because of other activities that could have conflicted with the nationwide schedule.
Juabeso in the Western North Region and Banda in the Bono East Region were reported to have candidates going unopposed.
The exercise is also taking place amid calls from party officials for aspirants and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully. Regional party leaders have urged contestants to respect one another, avoid intimidation and remember that internal competition should not weaken the party’s unity.
In the Ashanti Region, for example, 2,724 aspirants are contesting executive positions across 47 constituencies. Regional officials have encouraged members to rely on persuasion and the confidence of delegates rather than threats or coercion.
Nkwanta North election faces legal uncertainty
The constituency elections have also encountered a legal complication in Nkwanta North in the Oti Region.
A source reported that the High Court in Dambai had issued an interlocutory injunction restraining the NDC from conducting the election and from using or relying on a branch executives’ register compiled after elections held in June and July 2026. Editorial Ethics & Independence
However, the party’s Acting Director of IT and Elections, Mahdi Jibrill, said preparations were continuing because, according to him, the party had not been formally served with the court order.
His comments reflect the party’s stated position at the time of reporting; the legal implications and any subsequent developments should be confirmed through the court and the relevant parties.
The situation places emphasis on the importance of resolving disputes through the appropriate legal and party processes to protect confidence in the elections.
Clear communication and respect for court orders are important to ensuring that internal electoral disagreements do not escalate or undermine the credibility of the exercise.
A step towards the 2028 elections
The constituency polls are one stage in the NDC’s wider internal election timetable. The party is scheduled to hold its regional executive elections on November 14 and 15, 2026, preceded by a Regional Youth and Women Conference on November 13.
The reorganisation process is expected to culminate in a National Congress on December 19, when national executive officers will be elected.
For the NDC, the immediate challenge will be to ensure that the constituency elections are credible, peaceful and accepted by members, including those who lose their contests.
The newly elected executives will then have to turn campaign promises into effective local organisation and maintain unity across competing groups. Editorial Standards
Although the outcome of the internal elections will not determine the results of the 2028 general elections, strong constituency structures can play an important role in campaign coordination, voter engagement and communication between party leaders and communities.
With about 15,000 aspirants seeking leadership positions nationwide, the exercise represents a major test of the NDC’s internal democratic processes.
Its success will depend not only on completing the polls but also on whether the party can manage disagreements fairly and bring members together after the results are declared.