Election 2028: NDC builds from the base as NPP backs Bawumia

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is conducting constituency executive elections on October 24, 2026, to determine key positions and assess the party's internal strength ahead of the 2028 general election. These elections serve as a test for the NDC's ability to manage competing interests and translate grassroots support into political advantage.

Constituency executives play a crucial role in connecting national ambitions with local realities, mobilising voters, and shaping the party's relationship with communities. The NDC aims to consolidate its structures, renew leadership, and strengthen its readiness for the upcoming election.

The elections are held in 265 constituencies, with 16,468 applications initiated, 15,049 of which were fully submitted. Women made up approximately 16% of the completed applications. While the high participation rate indicates broad engagement, it does not guarantee organisational strength. The success of these elections depends on whether they produce cohesive structures or deepen existing divisions.

The NDC's internal elections occur amidst the ongoing struggle between established networks, new entrants, and competing power centers within the party. These factions can help renew leadership, but if political loyalty to a faction surpasses loyalty to the party, it could lead to instability. Constituency executives are not isolated from other party members, as their choices can strengthen specific networks and impact the balance of influence within the party.

The upcoming national leadership transition, with the National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah not seeking re-election, adds another layer of importance to the constituency elections. The structures formed now will influence the political environment in which the next national leadership is chosen.

The NDC's electoral schedule includes regional executive elections on November 14-15, a Regional Youth and Women Conference on November 13, and various nomination and vetting processes leading up to the National Congress on December 19, 2026. These stages build on the relationships and tensions established during the constituency elections.

If unresolved disputes persist, they may travel upwards through the party's electoral structure, potentially impacting the national leadership contest. The six-month resignation rule under Article 54 of the NDC constitution adds further complexity to the political dynamics surrounding these elections.