NDC panics at Reform?s moves

In its banner headline story, the Dispatch says the test for the ruling NDC, regarding its strength as a cohesive party propelled by mass appeal, will be put to the test as it reacts to the political moves by the National Reform Party (NRP).

The paper says as at the weekend, reports indicated that the NDC had panicked because as many as 90 Members of Parliament and Ministers of State had actually made contact with the NRP, with the aim of political co-operation.

According to the Dispatch, the concern of the MPs is the manner in which the NDC is said to have decided to adopt in the selection of prospective candidates for the 2000 parliamentary election. It is said that the NDC has decided not to allow primaries in the constituencies to select candidates for the elections, but rather, candidates will be selected in Accra.

The paper says another area of concern is the reported decision of the NDC to allocate 40% of the 200 parliamentary candidates to women, as part of the party?s enforcement of gender/affirmative policy.