The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a request by Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late Ayawaso East Member of Parliament, Nasser Toure Mahama, to undergo virtual vetting ahead of the party’s parliamentary primaries.

Representatives of Hajia Amina submitted the request on Tuesday, January 27, citing her mourning period and the need to observe Islamic widowhood rites as the reason for seeking an online vetting. However, party leadership insisted that all aspirants must appear in person.

Deputy Director of Elections of the NDC, Rashid Tanko Computer, explained that the party’s position on virtual vetting has been consistent.

“Indeed, the party leadership received a request from the camp of Hajia Amina this afternoon requesting a virtual vetting. The letter came, we discussed it thoroughly and compared it to our previous activities. Our position has been very clear, it is only a candidate who is outside this country and finds it extremely difficult to come down to participate in vetting.

“All candidates in the country are denied such privilege. We have never done it before,” he said on TV3’s Ghana Tonight.

He stressed that the FEC was unwilling to set a precedent that could be relied upon by future aspirants.

“We don’t want to create another precedent that others can rely on and say the Functional Executive has varied its decisions. Therefore, I can also apply for the opportunity to do virtual vetting,” he added.

Vetting of the five aspirants contesting the Ayawaso East parliamentary slot is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The NDC parliamentary primaries will take place on February 7, 2026, while the Electoral Commission has set March 3, 2026, for the by-election in the constituency.