Mussa Dankwah, Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, has attributed the failure of his firm’s pre-election poll in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ayawaso East parliamentary primary to alleged vote-buying during the contest.
A survey conducted by Global InfoAnalytics had projected Hajia Amina Adams to win with 58 per cent support, ahead of Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed on 32 per cent. Other aspirants — Mohammed Ramme, Dr Yakubu Azindow and Najib Mohammed Sani — were projected to secure 5 per cent, 3 per cent and 2 per cent respectively.
However, the official results showed Baba Jamal emerging victorious with 431 votes, narrowly defeating Hajia Amina Adams, who obtained 399 votes. Ramme polled 88 votes, Azindow 45, while Najib secured one vote.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom, Mr Dankwah cited reports of inducements, including television sets and boiled eggs allegedly distributed to delegates by Baba Jamal, as a key factor behind the poll’s inaccuracy.
“It is widely believed so. If you go on social media, they are all saying the same thing,” he said.
He warned that such practices undermine the credibility of democratic processes in Ghana.
In a related development, President John Dramani Mahama has recalled Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following allegations of voter inducement during the primary.