Amid mounting controversy over alleged vote-buying in the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has opted to stand by Baba Jamal as its parliamentary candidate, rejecting calls to nullify the outcome of the poll.
The decision was taken after the party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) considered a report submitted by a three-member committee set up to investigate allegations of vote-buying and inducement during the contest.
Addressing the media, General Secretary Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey explained that overturning the results was not viable. He cited time constraints, the risk of protracted legal challenges, and the absence of explicit constitutional provisions to guide such an action as key factors behind the party’s stance.
According to him, the inquiry established that all aspirants admitted to engaging in inappropriate conduct. He assured that sanctions would be applied across board, stressing that the party would ensure fairness in disciplining those found culpable.
While maintaining the outcome of the primary, the NDC has expanded the initial three-member committee to seven members to allow for a more extensive probe and to recommend long-term reforms to curb inducement in internal elections.
The development follows the interrogation of Baba Jamal by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over the alleged vote-buying. He was later granted self-recognizance bail after several hours of questioning.
His lawyer, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, stated that his client was also questioned over an alleged assault on an OSP officer and insisted, “If he was aware and being a lawyer, he would have told the people the position of the law”.
With the committee now expanded and further investigations underway, the NDC says it is determined to impose appropriate sanctions and introduce reforms to safeguard the integrity of its internal elections, even as Baba Jamal remains firmly on the ballot for Ayawaso East.
