The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cited sanctions imposed over previous vote-buying allegations in the party as evidence of its commitment to protecting the integrity of its internal elections.
The party’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Rashid Tanko-Computer, says the national executive will investigate any credible allegations of vote buying arising from the constituency executive elections held across the country over the weekend.
He said the party had demonstrated its willingness to act against such practices, pointing to an earlier controversy in Ayawaso East, where allegations of vote buying prompted intervention by the national leadership and sanctions against those involved.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr Tanko-Computer maintained that the NDC would not tolerate financial inducements capable of undermining the credibility of its internal electoral processes.
“Well, if matters of vote-buying come to our knowledge, we will definitely investigate. You remember when we had the issue of Ayawaso East where there was this allegation of vote buying and it came to the national level? We took charge of it and invited the officers and in fact, sanctions were applied,” he said.
He stressed that the party’s social democratic principles were incompatible with vote buying and other practices that could compromise the fairness of internal elections.
Mr Tanko-Computer said the constituency elections had so far proceeded smoothly, adding that party officials had not observed any incidents of vote buying in the areas they had visited.
“All the areas we have gone, we have not seen any incidents of vote buying. It has been very smooth sailing but if somebody has any evidence of that and it is brought to the notice of the national executive, we will take a look at it,” he said.
The assurance comes amid broader concerns about the influence of money and inducements in internal political party contests, where candidates compete for positions that shape grassroots mobilisation, party organisation and political influence within their constituencies.
The constituency executive elections form part of the NDC’s internal organisational processes, with elected officials expected to coordinate party activities and strengthen its structures at the local level.
Mr Tanko-Computer’s comments indicate that the party is prepared to rely on complaints and supporting evidence to determine whether alleged electoral misconduct warrants further investigation.
The NDC has urged anyone with evidence of vote buying during the recently concluded elections to bring it to the attention of the national executive for consideration.
