Vote Buying Scandal in Ghana’s NDC Primaries: A Threat to Democratic Integrity

A prominent Ghanaian civil society organization, Election Watch Ghana, has issued a stern warning regarding alleged vote-buying activities during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) internal primaries in the Ayawaso East constituency. The group characterizes the practice as a severe threat to electoral credibility and a systemic risk to the nation’s democratic foundations. This incident, centered on a viral video, exposes a critical gap in Ghana’s electoral legal framework that could undermine public trust in the entire political process.

Introduction: The Core Allegation and Its Significance

The integrity of any democracy hinges on free and fair elections, where votes are cast based on policy, ideology, and candidate merit, not material inducement. A foundational breach of this principle—vote buying—has been flagged in a high-profile internal party election in Ghana. Election Watch Ghana’s intervention transforms this from a localized party issue into a national concern about the resilience of Ghana’s democratic institutions. The organization’s formal statement frames the incident not merely as a disciplinary matter for the NDC, but as a symptom of a wider vulnerability in the electoral system that demands immediate attention from lawmakers, political parties, and the citizenry.

Key Points: What Happened in Ayawaso East?

The core of the controversy revolves around specific, documented actions during the NDC’s parliamentary primaries. The key verified facts, as reported and acknowledged, are as follows:

The Viral Video Evidence

A video circulating widely on social media platforms appears to show Mr. Baba Jamal, a candidate contesting the NDC’s parliamentary ticket for Ayawaso East, engaging in acts widely interpreted as vote-buying. The footage reportedly depicts him distributing television sets to constituents and handing out boiled eggs to delegates—the individuals entitled to vote in the primary. The visual nature of this evidence amplified public outrage and compelled official responses.

Candidate’s Partial Admission

In a media interview following the video’s circulation, Mr. Baba Jamal reportedly admitted to distributing the television sets as free gifts. While the context of “gifts” versus explicit exchanges for votes is a nuanced legal and ethical distinction, the act of providing high-value items to voters or delegates so close to an election period is strongly suggestive of an attempt to influence voting behavior, a classic form of clientelism.

Election Watch Ghana’s Formal Condemnation

On Monday, February 9, 2026, Election Watch Ghana released a formal statement. The organization unequivocally condemned the practice, labeling it an act that “undermines democratic rules.” Their statement directly links this behavior to a deterioration in the quality of Ghana’s democracy, arguing that such incidents erode the principle of political equality where every citizen’s vote should carry equal weight, uninfluenced by personal financial gain.

Background: Ghana’s Electoral Legal Framework and the Loophole

To understand the gravity of Election Watch Ghana’s warning, one must examine the specific legal context in which this alleged act occurred. The issue is not just about a violation of party ethics, but about a conspicuous absence in national law.

The Prohibition in General Elections

Ghana’s primary electoral statute, the Representation of the People Law, 1992 (PNDCL 284), explicitly criminalizes vote-buying and selling. Section 33 of this law states that any person who gives, offers, or agrees to give any money, gift, or other gratification to influence a vote in a public election (such as presidential or parliamentary general elections) commits an offense. This provision is a cornerstone of Ghana’s efforts to ensure clean elections and is enforceable by the Electoral Commission of Ghana and law enforcement agencies.

The Critical Gap: Internal Party Primaries

The fundamental problem highlighted by Election Watch Ghana is that Section 33 does not explicitly extend to internal party primaries or elections. Political parties in Ghana conduct their own primaries to select candidates for the general elections. These primaries are not “public elections” under the strict definition of PNDCL 284. Consequently, while parties often have their own codes of conduct prohibiting such acts, the full force of national criminal law—with its penalties of fines and imprisonment—does not automatically apply. This creates a significant legal loophole. The organization argues this gap inadvertently encourages candidates to engage in practices that would be illegal in a general election, normalizing corruption at the very first stage of the electoral cycle.

The NDC’s Position and the Call for Action

The NDC’s national leadership was reportedly swift to condemn the alleged actions in Ayawaso East upon the video’s emergence. Election Watch Ghana acknowledges this public stance but urges the party to move beyond rhetoric. Their statement emphasizes that true commitment to integrity requires “tangible measures,” specifically calling for disciplinary action against any candidate or delegate found culpable. This internal party enforcement is seen as a crucial test of the NDC’s own dedication to clean politics and a necessary deterrent to prevent recurrence within its ranks.

Analysis: Why This is a “Risk to Democracy”

Election Watch Ghana’s characterization of this incident as a “risk to democracy” is a serious charge that warrants deep analysis. The dangers are multi-layered, extending far beyond a single party’s internal dispute.

Erosion of Intra-Party Democracy

Party primaries are meant to be a democratic mechanism for selecting the most popular and capable candidate based on grassroots support and policy vision. When vote-buying occurs, the outcome is determined not by democratic choice but by financial power and the ability to distribute patronage. This corrupts the selection process, potentially installing candidates who are loyal to a patron-client network rather than to party principles or public interest. It disenfranchises dedicated party members without resources to compete in such a system and demoralizes honest aspirants.

Normalization of Corruption and Cynicism

When such practices are observed and go unpunished, they become normalized. Young politicians and activists learn that electoral success is tied to financial handouts, not ideas or service. The public, witnessing these events, becomes deeply cynical about the entire political class. This cynicism translates into voter apathy, reduced turnout in general elections, and a broader belief that the system is irredeemably rigged—all of which are toxic to democratic health.

Spillover into General Elections

The habits and networks formed during corrupt primaries do not vanish. A candidate who wins a primary through vote-buying is likely to employ similar tactics in the general election. Furthermore, the practice establishes a precedent and a price for votes, making it harder to run a clean campaign. The perceived “success” of such a strategy in the Ayawaso East primary could be emulated in other constituencies and by other parties, creating a downward spiral for electoral integrity nationwide.

Undermining Ghana’s Democratic Reputation

Ghana is widely celebrated as a stable democracy in a volatile region. Its peaceful transfers of power and generally credible elections are a source of national pride and international respect. Incidents like this, especially when documented on video, provide ammunition for critics and damage the country’s reputation as a leader in African democratic governance. It suggests that the democratic gains are superficial and vulnerable to the oldest electoral malady: vote-buying.

Practical Advice: Strengthening Defenses Against Vote Buying

Addressing this challenge requires concerted action from multiple stakeholders. Here is a framework for practical measures:

For Political Parties (The First Line of Defense)

• Strengthen Internal Codes of Conduct: Parties must draft explicit, stringent rules prohibiting the giving or receiving of any material inducement during primaries, with clear, graduated penalties (from disqualification to expulsion).
• Active Monitoring and Enforcement: Establish independent internal committees to monitor primaries, receive confidential reports of misconduct, and investigate swiftly. The NDC’s promised “tangible measures” must be public and transparent.
• Voter/Delegate Education: Conduct mandatory orientation for delegates, clearly explaining that accepting gifts in exchange for a vote is unethical, against party rules, and a betrayal of their mandate.
• Financial Transparency: Implement stricter reporting requirements for candidates’ campaign finances during primaries, making it harder to disguise vote-buying expenditures.

For Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Media

• Vigilant Documentation: As Election Watch Ghana did, CSOs must systematically document, verify, and publicize evidence of electoral malpractice, applying pressure for accountability.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch sustained campaigns to educate citizens and delegates on their rights, the illegality/immorality of selling votes, and anonymous reporting channels.
• Observation of Primaries: Deploy observers to key primaries in high-stakes constituencies to deter misconduct and gather data on trends.

For the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) and Lawmakers

• Legal Reform: The most critical long-term solution is to amend the Representation of the People Law or enact new legislation to explicitly extend the prohibition on vote-buying to party primaries. This closes the loophole and provides a clear legal basis for prosecution.
• Regulatory Oversight: The EC, as the regulator of political parties, should use its authority to mandate that all parties adopt and enforce robust anti-vote-buying regulations as a condition for conducting recognized primaries.
• Collaboration with the Office of the Special Prosecutor: Ensure that evidence of corrupt practices in primaries, especially those involving public officials or state resources, is referred to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions

Is giving small gifts during campaigns always vote buying?

No. There is a distinction between legitimate campaign souvenirs (pens, stickers, modest refreshments at a rally) and targeted, high-value gifts ( TVs, cash, significant food items) distributed to specific voters or delegates with the clear intent to influence their vote. The latter constitutes vote buying. Context, value, timing, and targeting are key factors.

Why don’t current laws cover party primaries?

Historically, Ghana’s electoral laws focused on the state-administered general elections. Party primaries were considered internal party affairs. However, as these primaries have become more high-stakes, expensive, and determinative of who appears on the ballot, the need for legal oversight to ensure their integrity has become pressing.

What can an ordinary citizen or delegate do if offered money or gifts for their vote?

They should firmly refuse. They can also report the incident anonymously to Election Watch Ghana, the NDC’s disciplinary committee, the Electoral Commission, or a trusted media outlet. Documenting details (who, what, when, where) is helpful. Accepting such gifts implicates the delegate in corruption and undermines their own democratic agency.

Could this affect the NDC’s performance in the 2026 general election?

Potentially, yes. If the scandal leads to a perception of a corrupt candidate being imposed on the constituency, it could demotivate loyal party supporters, boost support for opposing parties (including independent candidates), or fuel apathy. The long-term damage to the party’s brand as a reformist alternative could be significant.

Conclusion: A Moment for Constitutional and Party Reform

The allegations in Ayawaso East are far more than a political scandal; they are a diagnostic test for Ghana’s democracy. The viral video provides undeniable, irrefutable evidence of a practice that corrodes the political system from within. Election Watch Ghana has performed a vital service by connecting this specific incident to the broader, systemic risk posed by the legal vacuum surrounding party primaries.

The path forward is clear. The National Democratic Congress must demonstrate genuine leadership by conducting a transparent, credible investigation and imposing strict sanctions on those involved. Anything less will be seen as complicity. More broadly, the Parliament of Ghana must prioritize amending the electoral laws to close the loophole, ensuring that the spirit of Section 33—the rejection of vote-buying—applies to every stage of the electoral process that determines who governs. The credibility of Ghana’s democracy, built over decades, depends on decisive action to ensure that votes are bought with ideas, not with televisions and eggs.