Some Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who have courted support for the party’s flagbearer hopeful, John Dramani Mahama, have began a public fundraiser to enable their choice of candidate to raise the GHȻ 420,000 nomination and filing fee.
At a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NDC barely two weeks after the party elected its national executives for the next four years, it was decided that nomination forms for the aspirants will cost GHȻ20,000 whereas the filing fee will cost GHȻ 400,000.
The filing fee for women and persons with disabilities will be GHȻ200,000.
But many individuals including some flagbearer aspirants have described the amount as outrageous and have vowed to seek a downward review.
It would be recalled that in August 2018, some 94 NDC MPs endorsed the candidature of former President Mahama.
The MPs, who want to be identified as MPs4JM, have indicated that interested persons who wish to support the 2020 campaign of former President Mahama should dial *713*2020# on all mobile networks, follow the prompts and make their contribution.
The party has defended its decision to charge GH¢ 400,000 as filing fees for aspirants seeking to contest the party’s flagbearer race saying the fees will largely help cater for huge cost associated with holding elections.
The campaign team of NDC flagbearer aspirant, Professor Joshua Alabi has given indications that they will petition the party for a downward review of the cost of filing fees for aspirants.
The team believes the GH¢400,000 non-refundable fee announced by the party is on the high side and seems to be a deviation from the party’s social democratic principles. –citinewsroom.com
