Accra, Jan. 13, GNA - Contestants at the Eighth National Delegates Congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be held in Tamale on Saturday, January 16, have been cautioned against any action that could undermine the principles and beliefs of the party.

Dr Kwabena Adjei, NDC National Chairman, who issued the warning, entreated: "all contestants vying for the various national executive positions as well as delegate to flee the temptation of vote buying in the light of recent allegations that followed the NDC Youth and Women's congresses at Sunyani and Winneba respectively".

The warning was contained in a statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr. Mawuko Zormelo, Press Co-ordinator at the Office of the President. Dr. Adjei indicated that the party had taken a serious view of the alien practice of vote buying, influence-motivated, gift-giving and warned that tight measures would be instituted to prevent such democratically-retrogressive incidents at the congress in Tamale. He said while a mechanism was being put in place to address matters arising from the Sunyani and Winneba congresses with the view to preventing recurrence of the development, potential culprits at the Tamale congress would risk severe sanctions including arrest and prosecution.

Dr Adjei wished all participants including the media, representatives of other political parties, the diplomatic corps and observers, a safe journey to and from the congress in Tamale.