Baba Jamal Wins Ayawaso East By-Election After Being Spared by NDC in Vote-Buying Scandal
- The National Democratic Congress's Baba Jamal triumphed in the Ayawaso East by-election with 10,884 votes
- The NDC faced scrutiny over vote-buying allegations during the parliamentary primary, which Jamal won
- President John Mahama recalled Jamal from a diplomatic role amid controversy over the election's integrity
Baba Jamal is heading back to Parliament after winning the Ayawaso East by-election, being heavily favoured and securing 10,884 votes.
The NPP’s Yusif Ali Baba obtained 4,009 votes, Ibrahim Idrissu secured 43 votes, independent candidate Mohammed Umar Sanda garnered 1,885 votes, and Kanor David received 104 votes.
Source: Facebook
The BBC reported that a total of 16,928 valid votes were cast, with 120 rejected ballots, bringing the total votes cast to 17,048, in line with concerns over the low turnout given that 49,966 are registered to vote in the area.
3News further reported that the election conducted on March 3 was generally peaceful.
Security personnel were deployed early to polling centres in Nima, Maamobi, Accra New Town and surrounding communities to maintain order.
Police officers were stationed at strategic points, while patrol teams monitored activities throughout the day.
Baba Jamal celebrates Ayawaso East election win
Supporters of Baba Jamal gathered at the forecourt of the collation centre ahead of the official declaration to celebrate what had already appeared to be a comfortable lead.
The NDC had considered annuling his primary win after it was marred by allegations of vote buying.
However, the party leadership said its constitution does not have a provision for the annulment of an election.
It also explained that there were time constraints regarding the main by-election.
The investigative committee was constituted following widespread concerns and reports that TV sets and cash were allegedly distributed to delegates during the primary, raising questions about the integrity of the process.
The allegations sparked public debate and renewed scrutiny of vote-buying practices within internal party elections.
According to the NDC, the committee examined complaints submitted by delegates and party members, reviewed available evidence, and engaged relevant stakeholders before arriving at its conclusions.
The Ayawaso East parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of the MP, Mahama Naser Toure.
Source: Getty Images
About the vote-buying allegations against Jamal
During the NDC parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency, delegates reportedly received items, including 32-inch television sets, viewed as inducements from candidates.
The TVs were given to delegates by Jamal, but he denied that it was meant to sway voters in the election, which had four other candidates, some of whom are also accused of the same kind of vote buying.
He ended up winning the election by 32 votes, defeating Hajia Amina Adam, the widow of the MP whose death had made a by-election in Ayawaso East necessary.
Jamal won with 431 votes, followed by Adam and Mohammed Ramne, who got 399 votes and 88 votes, respectively.
Dr Yakubu Azimdow and Najib Sani, the other candidates, polled 45 votes and 1 vote, respectively.
Mahama recalls Baba Jamal from diplomatic post
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that President John Mahama had ordered Baba Jamal's recall as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria.
The president asked Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to begin the necessary procedures over this directive.
Mahama was said to have recalled Jamal over his alleged bribery and inducement during the NDC Ayawaso East constituency primary.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
