Osa Director, spokesperson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), says the party’s anti-defection oath is rooted in its constitution and binding on all candidates.
Director spoke on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.
His remarks come days after the party introduced an indemnity affidavit requiring candidates to surrender their seats if they defect after winning elections on the NDC platform.
According to the party, the measure aims to strengthen discipline and deepen internal democracy.
Director said the requirement is not a new policy. Instead, he noted that Article 16 of the party’s constitution already provides for it.
“I think it should be both, because it is in our constitution, Article 16 of our constitution,” he said.
Furthermore, he said every member is expected to read and understand the party’s constitution before seeking office.
“It is clearly stated there,” he said.
“Any member of our party should have read through the constitution, or is expected to have read through the constitution.”
Director added that candidates must swear an affidavit committing to remain in the party after winning elections.
“That provision is there in Article 16, that you must depose to an affidavit to remain in the party once you are elected under the platform of the party,” he said.
NDC DOING POLITICS DIFFERENTLY
Meanwhile, he said the policy reflects the NDC’s commitment to doing politics differently.
“We feel that as a party that wants to play politics which is not business as usual, then we must have certain policies that distinguish us from the majority of parties in the country,” he said.
Responding to concerns that electoral mandates belong to individuals rather than parties, Director argued that elected officials derive their mandates from party platforms.
“The individual is elected on the platform of the party,” he said.
“The Electoral Act is clear. There is no room for independent candidates.”
In addition, Director said the party is working to address grievances arising from its primary elections.
He noted that party leaders are engaging stakeholders to prevent aggrieved members from leaving.
“We don’t want a single member of our party to leave on account of not being treated fairly,” he said.
“As we speak, stakeholders are meeting to ensure they resolve all grievances.”
