The National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced the guidelines and modalities for its forthcoming party primaries, declaring that all aspirants who purchased Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to participate in the exercise.
The decision followed the adoption of the report of the party’s Screening Committee chaired by former Ebonyi State governor, Sam Egwu.
The party’s primaries will hold between May 28 and May 30.
According to the party, the report was adopted after extensive deliberations involving the National Working Committee, the Selection Committee and other senior stakeholders of the party.
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, said the meeting was attended by the National Chairman of the party, presidential aspirant Peter Obi and other top party officials.
The party commended members of the Screening Committee for what it described as their professionalism and sacrifice during the week-long screening exercise involving aspirants from across the federation.
The NDC also appreciated aspirants and supporters for their commitment to the growth of the party nationwide.
According to the statement, successful aspirants who emerge from the primaries would proceed to the party’s National Secretariat for documentation, payment of nomination fees and completion of nomination processes.
The party disclosed that it had constituted and deployed primary election teams made up of senior officials and experienced administrators to all states to supervise the exercise in collaboration with local stakeholders and party leaders.
It explained that primaries for State Assembly positions would be conducted through direct primaries at constituency levels, while primaries and affirmations for House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential positions would hold at various Local Government Headquarters.
Final results, the party said, would be announced at the National Secretariat by the Selection Committee and the National Executive Committee, NEC.
The NDC urged aspirants and stakeholders to embrace consensus arrangements where necessary in order to strengthen party unity and stability.
The party also reiterated its commitment to inclusiveness, encouraging increased participation of women and youths in the electoral process.
In addition, the NDC warned against violence, intimidation and disorderly conduct during the primaries, stressing that disciplinary actions would be taken against anyone found undermining the credibility of the exercise.
An Appeal Panel, according to the statement, would also be inaugurated to address grievances arising from the primaries.
The party acknowledged that the exercise would be conducted manually due to time constraints, noting that plans to deploy a fully electronic voting and collation system could not be implemented for the current exercise.
However, it assured members that future primaries would be fully digitised in line with its commitment to transparency, accountability and modern democratic practices.
The NDC called on aspirants, party members, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure peaceful, transparent and credible primaries across the country.