Civil society group Crusaders Against Corruption has delivered a stinging rebuke of alleged vote-buying during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East, while pressing the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to account for its handling of similar cases in the past.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the group condemned the conduct that marred the internal election held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, calling on the Presidency to formally trigger enforcement actions and to ensure that Ghana’s electoral laws are applied “irrespective of who or which political party is involved.” The statement was signed by Emmanuel Wilson Jnr, Chief Crusader, and demanded transparency from state institutions in line with the law.
The Ayawaso East primary, part of preparations for a March 3 parliamentary by-election, has been overshadowed by reports that some delegates were allegedly induced with material items — widely reported to include television sets and monetary gifts — in a way that many critics argue influenced the outcome and violated electoral norms.
The NDC responded by creating a three-member committee to investigate the claims and recommend sanctions, with its report due by Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has publicly announced investigations into alleged vote-buying in both the NDC’s Ayawaso East primary and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries, focusing on vote-buying, vote-selling, vote selling and the sources of funding for the alleged corrupt acts.
In its statement, Crusaders against Corruption called on the Presidency to “formally call the attention of the appropriate state investigative bodies to ensure absolute enforcement of the laws…” — underscoring the need for action that transcends partisan lines and applies the rule of law rigorously. The group also insisted that the Legislature must “exercise its oversight responsibility by ensuring that relevant state institutions are called immediately to act on the matter per the law.”
Significantly, Crusaders directed a firm appeal to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, challenging it to inform Ghanaian citizens “how his office has applied these laws in the numerous alleged vote buying cases in all previous elections that he claims are being investigated.” The statement elevated concerns over not just the current allegations but the broader track record of high-profile investigations into electoral corruption, framing the call as part of a long-term demand for accountability and transparency.
The group’s message was unequivocal: “Vote buying … undermines the sovereign right of the Ghanaian people to choose their leaders without coercion or inducement.” — phrasing that reflects deep unease over practices that many analysts believe erode democratic integrity.
The backdrop to this call for accountability includes the OSP’s recent public confirmation of its probe into alleged electoral corruption — a development that has drawn both political and public scrutiny. According to the anti-graft agency, during the Ayawaso East primary, an OSP officer was allegedly attacked while executing a directive related to the investigation, leading to a separate inquiry into the assault while the broader probe continues.
Crusaders’ statement comes at a moment of heightened national attention on electoral ethics, with the OSP’s involvement and the NDC’s own internal review amplifying public debate. By pressing for clear explanations of past and present enforcement actions, the group signals that condemnation alone is insufficient — urging structural accountability that aligns with both national law and democratic expectations.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
