Inusah Fusseini, a member of the NDC’s Ayawaso East Investigative Committee, has warned that how the party handles the controversy surrounding its parliamentary primary could shape public perception and test the credibility of its promise to “do things differently.”
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, the lawyer and former Tamale Central MP said the electorate gave the NDC the mandate to govern “on the promise that we will do things differently,” and that standard must apply to the party’s internal conduct as well.
He cautioned that if issues such as the Ayawaso East claims are not handled properly, “it will sap the confidence” of the public, and supporters could “draw their obvious conclusions.”
The committee was set up after allegations emerged that aspirants offered inducements, including television sets and cash, to delegates during the primary held on Saturday, February 7.
Fusseini said the committee’s work led to a clear finding. “We came to the conclusion, unalloyed and firm conclusion that there was widespread illegality… the vote buying and inducement,” he said, adding that it “was not limited to one candidate.”
He revealed that the committee indicated the party could consider annulling the results. Asked by host Evans Mensah if that was part of the recommendations, Fusseini responded, “Yeah,” but stressed that the committee also warned of serious obstacles.
He explained that the election was conducted and supervised by the Electoral Commission and the results were certified by the EC “as being credible.”
That certification, he said, raises a fundamental legal question. “The jurisprudential issue here is… can a political party overturn the verdict of the Electoral Commission when they did not conduct the election?” he asked.
Fusseini acknowledged that many in the public are demanding annulment, and that the pressure is partly driven by perception. “People have a feeling that the self-authorising act of a political party in a situation like this, will give that act… political force,” he said.
But he insisted that the key issue is whether such an action would be legally valid. “People have the feeling, and they are entitled to have that feeling, but the question is whether it will have a legal basis to stand up,” he added.
Fusseini described what happened in Ayawaso East as “acts of impunity,” saying the conduct violated several laws, including the Political Parties Act, the Representation of the People’s Act, CI 127, and even the Constitution. He said it also violated the party’s own values, ethics, and philosophy.
However, he challenged the logic of responding with another questionable act. “Now, do you deal with impunity by acting with impunity? Do you deal with a wrong by acting wrongly?” he asked.
He warned that annulling an EC-certified result could damage the country’s electoral credibility. “Governance-wise, you will be destroying the sanctity and integrity of the Electoral Commission if you do that,” he said.
He also cited internal party limits, noting that the closest provision is Article 52, which allows the National Executive Committee to act when the constitution is silent.
Finally, he noted the time pressure. The committee submitted its report “yesterday at 4 pm,” and “today is the final day to present a candidate,” raising practical hurdles even if the party decides to pursue annulment.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com