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NDC Race: No need for a run-off, I'll be elected - Alabi

By Wendy Amarteifio
Joshua Alabi
NDC Race:No need for a run off,I'll be elected party flagbearer
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Professor Joshua Alabi, a presidential aspirant of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed confidence that he will be elected the party’s flagbearer without the need for a run-off in the February 23 primary.

There have been suggestions that none of the seven candidates in the flagbearer race may attain the 50 percent plus one vote tally, needed to win the election outright.

A run-off election will be held should any candidate fail to garner over 50% of the total valid votes cast. This is according to the NDC constitution.

“At any ballot between more than two persons, the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected, provided that he receives a majority (i.e. 50% plus one) of the votes cast; but if no candidate receives such majority, the name of the Candidate who receives the least number of votes shall be withdrawn; this shall be followed by a run-off between the first-two contestants and the contestant with a simple majority shall be declared the Party’s Presidential Candidate.”

Prof. Alabi, however, does not believe a run-off will be needed as he has what it takes to win the party’s presidential ticket on the first try.

He noted that despite earlier suggestions that former President John Dramani Mahama, was the overwhelming favourite to be reelected the party’s flagbearer, the outcome appears harder to predict now following his extensive campaign across the country.

READ ALSO: NDC Race: Bagbin, Alabi submit nomination forms

According to Prof Alabi, “Somebody said last year that the former president will make about 95 per cent of the votes and the rest of us will make five, now I’m hearing about 55 per cent. It means that we are doing our work very well and I am very confident that by the time we get to the elections, Alabi will be on top.”

He added that “My interest is to win one-touch, that is what I want to do. I am in this race to win one-touch. I am very confident I am going to win one-touch because I am working.”

Meanwhile, Prof. Alabi picked the 7th position on the ballot paper after balloting of slots at the NDC’s headquarters on Wednesday(January 23 2019).

Former President John Dramani Mahama picked the third slot while the Member of Parliament for Nadowli-Kaleo, Alban Bagbin, picked the first slot followed by businessman, Nurudeen Iddrisu.

The fourth slot was picked by Sylvester Mensah, followed by Ekwow Spio-Garbrah and Goosie Tanoh, in that order.

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