NDC vows probe into vote-buying allegations in constituency elections

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has pledged to investigate allegations of vote-buying in its constituency executive elections, insisting that it will not tolerate practices that compromise the credibility of the party’s internal electoral processes.

The party says it will scrutinise any credible evidence presented to its national leadership and apply appropriate sanctions against individuals found culpable.

The assurance follows the NDC’s constituency executive elections held across the country over the weekend, during which members elected executives to oversee the party’s activities at the local level.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi FM, the party’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Rashid Tanko-Computer, said the NDC would not hesitate to investigate any reports of vote-buying brought to its attention.

“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 and so we are a social democratic political party and we abhor anything that has to do with vote buying.

“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.”

Mr Tanko-Computer cited the party’s handling of previous allegations in the Ayawaso East constituency as evidence of its willingness to address such concerns, noting that disciplinary measures had been imposed following investigations.

His comments come amid broader concerns about the influence of money and other inducements in internal political party elections, where candidates compete for positions that shape grassroots organisation, mobilisation and decision-making.