By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Majority Caucus in Parliament is calling on the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to annul the parliamentary primaries of the party amid allegations of vote-buying, according to a statement on Sunday.
The statement, signed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, condemned the practice, stressing that the development is against the background of the agenda to reset the politics of the country.
The Caucus further indicated that any candidate who participated in the contest found culpable should be banned from participating in the subsequent rerun of the primaries.
“After extensive deliberations on the matter, the core leadership, as well as the extended leadership of the caucus, has resolved to communicate to the Functional Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress as follows;
1. That the primary of the NDC organised in the Ayawaso East Constituency be annulled immediately.
2. That any candidate who participated in the said primary and has been established to have engaged in this unethical conduct be banned from participating in the subsequent primary after annulment of the election,” parts of the statement said.
The Majority Caucus further emphasized that it remains committed to restoring integrity to the politics of the country.
The NDC held a parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency on Saturday, in which Ghana’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, was declared elected by the Electoral Commission after polling 431 of the valid votes, while his closest contender, Hajia Amina Adam, wife of the late Member of Parliament polled 399 of total valid votes.
However, despite the peaceful nature of the election, there were widespread allegations of vote-buying and vote-selling in which some delegates were reported to have received flat-screen television sets, motor bicycles, bags of rice, cooking oil, and cash, with some amounting to GH¢3,000.
The NDC has condemned the practice and has set up a three-member committee led by Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi to investigate the matter.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, has also recalled Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed from his position as High Commissioner to Nigeria, while the Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) has also commenced an investigation into the matter. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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