During a press conference on Friday, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), announced that 47 parliamentary aspirants have already been declared candidates for the upcoming 2024 general elections.

These candidates applied to represent the party and were unopposed, subsequently passing the vetting process.

According to the NDC rules, they have been granted a direct pass to the 2024 elections. As a result, parliamentary primaries will not take place in the constituencies of these 47 candidates, as they are already considered elected candidates.

“We have 47 aspirants who have already been declared candidates for our 2024 elections. We have seen other places where people are contesting unopposed candidates by going to court to seek an injunction to prevent the parliamentary elections. There is not going to be parliamentary elections in those places because our candidates have already been elected by law,” Mr Asiedu noted.

Among them is North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Meanwhile, the NDC Chairman said the primaries would not be conducted in 16 constituencies, stating that these constituencies need special attention.

He said that “the party’s preparation in those constituencies is not complete, so, we have decided to put them on hold. After the main elections, we will appraise each constituency and deal with the specific issues there to pave the way for the elections.”

The NDC primaries will proceed as planned on Saturday. This decision comes after Dr. Kwabena Duffour, a flagbearer hopeful, withdrew the lawsuit he filed against the party on May 9.

Dr. Duffour cited discrepancies in the party's voters' register as the reason for his team's withdrawal. The Accra High Court had previously dismissed Dr. Duffour's injunction application after his lawyers chose to withdraw the case.