Akim Oda (Eastern Region) -- With only six days left for the crucial NDC congress slated for Accra, a writ has been filed at the Akim Oda High Court by Alhaji Mohammed Abubakari of Asamankese, praying the court to restrain four executive members of the Eastern Regional branch of the party from exercising their franchise.

According to the statement of claim, the defendants are not qualified to participate in the forthcoming NDC congress on 21 December 2002 since they had not fulfilled their financial obligation pertaining to the office to which they were elected. The plaintiff, is therefore, asking the court to place an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from attending the NDC congress.

Meanwhile, the deputy General Secretary of the party, Baba Jamal, has confirmed that the congress will come on as scheduled. Speaking to the paper following rumours that the congress is likely to be postponed, Jamal said, “I don’t think the congress will be postponed. We have set everything on course and all the basic payments have been made.”

He said the renting of the halls and the cafeteria of the University of Ghana, the venue for the congress, and provision of stationery had been completed. Jamal said he was compiling the list of delegates that would attend the congress, adding that the Electoral Commission (EC) had been duly notified and “it is also processing the ballot papers for the election.”

He denied rumours and misconceptions that the congress would be postponed because the party was having difficulties in sourcing for funds to hold the congress. “The only payments left to be settled are those little basic ones that can even be paid after the congress,” the deputy General Secretary said. He said all rumour peddlers did not know what they were talking about.

On the campaign and contest for the NDC flagbearership, Jamal said that so far it had been good and encouraging, adding the two candidates have conducted themselves in a matured manner.

Meanwhile, snappy reconnaissance in town indicate that the NDC’s secretariat is currently operating in two separate locations. One part of the machinery, which is the John Atta Mills’ camp is operating at Kuku Hill whiles the other, Dr Kwesi Botchwey’s machinery is pitched at the Nima Highway.