The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has explained why it will not annul the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary, confirming Mohammed Baba Jamal as its candidate for the upcoming by-election.

The decision comes amid allegations of vote-buying during the party’s parliamentary primary on Saturday, February 7, which Baba Jamal has consistently denied. A three-member committee tasked with investigating the claims submitted a report that informed the party’s decision.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, February 10, the NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, cited several factors that prevented the annulment of the primary.

He highlighted time constraints, noting that the Electoral Commission is expected to close nominations for the by-election on Wednesday, February 11, leaving limited opportunity to restart the process.

He also referenced legal and constitutional considerations, explaining that the party’s constitution does not provide for annulment of parliamentary primaries under such circumstances.

“The committee’s report is that ideally, we should have annulled the primary. However, the committee acknowledges real obstacles that make it difficult for us to do that. The party’s constitution doesn’t have a provision for annulment of the election. We are time-bound because we need to present a candidate to the EC on February 11, and there are legal challenges that could be mounted by whoever won. In light of that, the party has taken the recommendations, and we have no option but to present Baba Jamal as our candidate,” he said.

Mr. Kwetey also outlined plans to expand the investigative committee as part of broader internal reforms aimed at strengthening party processes.

“We’re going to do a comprehensive review of the whole process that led to our internal elections. We’re expanding the committee by adding four more members, to make it a seven-member committee, so that they can come out with recommendations to address these inappropriate practices in future elections,” he added.

According to the General Secretary, the committee found inappropriate conduct by all candidates, highlighting the need for reforms to prevent similar issues in future internal elections.

The NDC has reaffirmed Mohammed Baba Jamal as its parliamentary candidate as it prepares to contest the Ayawaso East by-election.