The Acting Director of Elections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahdi Jibril, has cautioned aspirants in the party’s upcoming regional elections against using money and other material inducements to influence delegates.
He says delegates must be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidates, warning that the use of financial and material resources to secure votes undermines the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process.
Speaking on November 4, ahead of the regional elections, Mr Jibril said the party was determined to prevent the practice during the upcoming polls, particularly on election day.
“What I wish is that delegates should be left free to go and vote. We also don’t want to see people using items, resources, to just influence voters on the election day,” he said.
He acknowledged that material inducements could influence voting decisions but maintained that the practice was unhealthy for democracy.
“Although statistics have shown that the more you give, they just give you the votes. But it doesn’t work well in our democracy. And that’s what we don’t want to see,” he added.
His warning comes amid concerns about alleged vote-buying during the NDC’s recent constituency executive elections, with reports of money and household items being distributed to delegates in some areas. The party’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Rashid Tanko-Computer, has separately indicated that credible allegations will be investigated.
Mr Jibril said the party was engaging the Ghana Police Service to finalise security arrangements for the regional polls, adding that the Electoral Commission was also preparing the ballot papers.
The regional elections form part of the NDC’s ongoing internal reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By Noble Crosby Annan
