The Acting Director of Elections and IT for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahdi Gibril, has stated that individuals interested in contesting any of the party’s national executive positions are expected to meet all stipulated requirements and guidelines.
He explained that one of the key criteria mandates that an aspirant must have held a constituency executive position for at least four years, noting that failing to meet this threshold results in automatic disqualification.
Mr Gibril was responding to questions regarding the disqualification of Steven Nhyira Odarteifio and Najib Saqib Yahaya from the National Youth Organiser race after they failed vetting in Accra on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Both men appeared before the party’s vetting committee at its headquarters but did not secure clearance to contest.
Commenting on the matter during an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mahdi Gibril emphasised that the vetting outcome was strictly procedural rather than personal.
“The disqualification is not about individuals. There are laid-down processes, and five people in total have been disqualified because they could not meet the requirements to contest those positions,” he noted.
He further clarified that every national role carries specific eligibility criteria to ensure candidates are adequately prepared.
“That is why we have guidelines. When you want to contest in national elections, you must have served in a constituency executive position for at least four years. All the aspirants have read and understood these rules. It is not the vetting committee that disqualified anyone; rather, it is the rules and guidelines that disqualified them,” he added.
Mr Gibril stressed that while party members may have paid their dues and remain in good standing, they are not automatically eligible to contest every office, as each position comes with distinct expectations and regulations. He concluded that anyone seeking to contest an executive role inherently agrees to abide by the principles and constitution of the party.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
