By Grace Zigah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially set the ball rolling for its 2026 Constituency Executive Elections, announcing that nominations for aspiring constituency executives will open on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The announcement, contained in a press release issued by the party’s National Secretariat on September 10, 2026, represents a major step in the NDC’s internal electoral calendar and is expected to trigger heightened political activity across constituencies as members position themselves for various executive positions.
The party said the opening of nominations forms part of the general timetable for the 2026 internal elections that was released earlier, and urged all members who intend to contest constituency executive positions to take advantage of the prescribed nomination period and comply fully with the requirements governing the process.
Under the new arrangements, all payments relating to the purchase and filing of nomination forms are to be made strictly through the party’s designated online portal, forms.ghanandc.com, with payments to be effected through mobile money across all networks.
The NDC has also tightened the membership requirements for persons seeking to participate in the nomination process. Aspirants, their proposers, seconders and endorsers must all be members in good standing of the party. In addition, they are required to have fully paid their party membership dues for the preceding four years.
Members with outstanding dues have been directed to settle their arrears before participating in the process.
Beyond nominations, the National Secretariat has simultaneously authorised campaign activities for aspirants contesting the party’s 2026 internal elections.
The directive means that candidates seeking positions at the constituency, regional and national levels can now formally begin their campaigns, provided their activities are conducted within the framework of the NDC’s constitution, rules, regulations and directives governing the internal elections.
Regional officers, constituency officers and ward coordinators have consequently been instructed to permit campaign activities by all eligible aspirants within their respective areas of jurisdiction.
However, the party has drawn a significant line between the internal executive elections and future parliamentary contests.
In what could become one of the most closely watched aspects of the directive, the NDC has warned that the campaign window announced for the 2026 internal elections does not apply to persons pursuing, or intending to pursue, parliamentary ambitions.
The restriction specifically covers sitting Members of Parliament as well as individuals who are currently considering or publicly expressing an intention to contest parliamentary elections.
According to the National Secretariat, such persons are prohibited from using the newly opened campaign period to engage in campaigning activities associated with their parliamentary ambitions. The party has further warned that violations of the directive will be treated seriously and sanctioned in accordance with its rules and regulations.
The distinction is particularly important given the political significance of constituency structures within the NDC. Constituency executives play a central role in organising grassroots activities, mobilising supporters, implementing party decisions and coordinating electoral campaigns at the local level.
Consequently, contests for these positions can have implications for the internal balance of power within constituencies and, potentially, the party’s preparations for future national elections.
The latest directive is therefore expected to generate considerable interest among party activists seeking to influence the direction of their respective constituency structures, while the restrictions on parliamentary aspirants are designed to prevent the constituency executive elections from becoming an unofficial platform for early parliamentary campaigning.
The NDC’s decision to insist on four years of fully paid membership dues also places emphasis on active and sustained membership as a condition for participation.
Aspirants and the members sponsoring or endorsing their nominations must demonstrate that they have remained financially compliant with the party during the stipulated period.
The internal elections come as the governing NDC continues to rely heavily on its grassroots structures to consolidate its political organisation. Constituency and ward-level officials are central to maintaining party structures between election cycles and mobilising supporters during national and local political activities.
The party has consequently appealed to all constituencies, aspirants and members to approach the electoral process with discipline and respect for its democratic principles.
The National Secretariat stressed the need for a transparent, peaceful and orderly process and called on all stakeholders to cooperate to ensure that the 2026 constituency executive elections are successfully conducted.
The notice was signed by Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, Deputy General Secretary, on behalf of the General Secretary.
