NACC – NDC CONGRESS WASHINGTON, DC. JUNE 20, 2009.
SPEECH BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ELECTORAL COMMITTEE
(MR. ATO ESSEL).

Thank you Mr. Chairman, I fully observe and acknowledge all protocol.
I am highly privileged and humbled for the opportunity to serve as the Chairman of the North American Coordinating Council (NAAC) interim electoral committee, as we work together to elect our officers who will have the executive mandate and support of the leadership of our great party – the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) and for that matter the current government of the Republic of Ghana.
I also wish to extend my highest regards and appreciation to Mr. Simon Adzraku, my able Vice – Chairman for his support and contribution which helped made our work pleasurable and not burdensome.
By virtue of the authority conferred on me in my capacity as the chairman of the electoral committee, I hereby refer to clause 3 of the reorganizational policy guidelines for external branches of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and officially declare the current executive body of the North American Coordinating Council (NACC) dissolved.
With the same measure of understanding, and adherence to clause 4 of the reorganizational policy guidelines for external branches of the great AKATAMANSO family, I humbly wish to proceed with the election of executive officers to steer the affairs of the NDC Chapter in the United States of America for a period of two consecutive years, effective today.
In this regard, I wish to once again, welcome all of you here, especially those vying for various positions. I also wish to reassure you all that the electoral committee of which I am the chairman is genuinely independent, objective, and transparent. And that we are determine to ensure that the elections will have the same measure of objectivity, fairness, and transparency devoid of irregularities that will in any form or shape affect the credibility of the results.
We also wish to remind contestants and their supporters that this election is a purely internal affair. At the end of the day, it is NDC – North America and the entire AKATAMANSO family that wins.
Those of us who get elected as a result of today’s election do not have to under-estimate and disregard the capabilities and potentials of those who did not obtain the mandate of voters. The success or failure of NAAC – NDC depends on all of us. As social democrats, we should always make room for consensus building without sacrificing our core human centered values and principles.
No matter what the outcome of the elections, let us continue to work together, regardless of our inherent human differences, as we pursue the noble agenda for a better Ghana because, in unity lies strength.
The procedure for the election is very simple;
1. For each of the positions that will be contested, each eligible branch is entitled to three (3) votes which can be apportioned to different candidates on absolute number terms (1, 2, and 3). This means that, fractional votes are not allowed.
2. A candidate who obtains majority of votes cast for a particular position becomes the elected candidate for such position.
3. whenever there is a tie between two or more candidates, there will be a second round of voting, and the process will continue until a winner is elected.
4. A candidate who fails to win a substantive position may contest for the immediate subordinate position. However, such a candidate will be eligible (and may be declared the winner of the subordinate position) if and only if there are no contestants for such immediate subordinate position.
5. Voting for all contesting positions shall be dully completed before counting and tabulation of the results and eventual declaration of all elected officials.
6. All grievances relating to the election and evidence of irregularities (if any), may be reported verbally to the electoral committee, immediately after the voting process is completed. In addition, all such complaints should be documented in writing and submitted to the chairman of the electoral committee within 7 days after the official declaration of results.
7. Base on available data at our disposal, we expect a total of thirty-nine (39) votes collectively, from thirteen (13) NACC-NDC branches that are expected to vote at this congress, for each of the twelve positions being contested for.
On that note, I wish all the candidates the very best of luck.
Mr. Chairman, invited guest, and fellow ATAMANSONIANS, I now wish to hand over to my colleague who will take turns with me to continue with the next item on the agenda. Thank you so very much for your attention. And may God guide us in our deliberations.