NDP's leadership race rules include requirements for youth, regional support

The NDP released the official rules for its leadership race on Friday, which include requirements that candidates gather specific numbers of signatures from supporters across regional, racial and 2SLGBTQ+ groups.

At least 10 per cent of a candidate's signatures must come from New Democrats aged 25 years or under.

Candidates must also collect at least 50 signatures from five different regions in Canada — the North, the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario and the Prairies and B.C.

A new permanent leader to replace Jagmeet Singh will be chosen through a ranked ballot, allowing party members to list candidates in order of preference.

The party announced earlier this month that candidates will be required to pay a $100,000 entry fee.

The official campaign kicks off in September and the final vote will be in March, when the party holds its convention in Winnipeg.

"We need a strong NDP in Ottawa to stand up for workers — because we are the party of workers," said NDP national director Lucy Watson in a statement.

"This leadership contest will give NDP members the opportunity to come together and elect a leader who will carry forward the critical work of cracking down on corporate greed, fixing our health-care system and lowering costs for the working class."