Despite claims of vote buying that surfaced during the party’s parliamentary primaries on Saturday, February 7, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has approved Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed as its parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso East by-election.
A three-person committee led by Kofi Totobi Kwakye, which was established to look into claims that some candidates participated in inducement during the primary, delivered a report that included the party’s decision.
Following considerable concerns and reports that TV sets and cash were purportedly given to delegates during the primary, casting doubt on the process’s integrity, the investigation committee was established.
The accusations provoked public discussion and re-examined vote-buying tactics in internal party elections.
The NDC claims that before reaching its conclusions, the committee considered the complaints made by delegates and party members, looked over the material that was available, and consulted with pertinent parties.
The committee apparently found no reason to dismiss Baba Jamal as the party’s candidate for the next by-election, although acknowledging concerns around monetisation in internal elections.
The winner of the parliamentary primary, Baba Jamal, has repeatedly refuted claims of vote buying, stating that his campaign was carried out in accordance with the party’s policies.
After Naser Toure Mahama, a former member of parliament, passed away, the Ayawaso East seat fell empty, requiring a by-election.
As it gets ready to step up its campaigning in the run-up to the by-election, the NDC was supposed to formally inform the public of the committee’s findings.
On Wednesday, February 11, Baba Jamal is anticipated to submit his nomination to the Electoral Commission.
Source: newsthemegh.com