Fellow at CDD Ghana, Dr John Osae-Kwapong, has expressed his disappointment in the doling out of cash by some NDC MP aspirants during the party’s internal elections, revealing that it is easier to buy delegates than a constituency.
According to him, the issue of spraying of cash and distribution of other goodies isn’t a new phenomenon during internal party elections held in the country. He indicated that when these things crop up, it’s usually regarded as the “cocoa season” for delegates.
“The argument I have regularly made is that it is easier to buy delegates than it is to buy an entire constituency. So, if in a constituency there are 100 delegates but in that entire constituency there are 20,000 voters, I think it will be very difficult for you to go door to door to try and induce all 20, 000 voters in that constituency…”
Dr John Osae-Kwapong
Commenting on the spraying of monies by a parliamentary candidate, Juliana Kinang-Wassan, in the Ejura Sekyere Odumasi Constituency, Dr Osae-Kwapong noted that one of the things aspirant need to keep in mind is that more than not, delegates are showing them that they will do what they want to do by voting for the candidate they best regard fit for office. He explained that with some of these inducements, it does not have the kind of effect that the aspirants expect to have.
“At the same time, I’m also sure that in the minds of the candidates, if these inducements are part of the process, they can’t unilaterally disarm… I don’t think the candidates have gotten to a point where they want to make those choices. I personally think that if the parties move to an open primary, it will curb a lot of these inducements.”
Dr John Osae-Kwapong
Furthermore, the CDD Ghana Fellow questioned why the NDC moved from its open primaries for their parliamentary election back to the delegate system. He stated that he was particularly excited when the party tried to engage in the open system in its last primaries in the lead up to the 2016 election, a move which it subsequently rescinded on.
“I would love to find out from the party what they think worked or did not work with the open primaries system that made them rethink that approach and move back to the delegates system.”
Dr John Osae-Kwapong
NDC commended on outcome of primaries
Touching on his impression of the internal elections held by the NDC, Dr Osae-Kwapong commended the party for having had an overall successful primary process. He stated that despite the potential lawsuit that could have derailed the process on Saturday, May 13, 2023, during the presidential and parliamentary elections of the NDC, it came as some good news when the leadership was able to address that along with some teething challenges which confronted the team.
“So, it came as a really big relief that the scheduled primaries were able to come on, the electoral commission was able to supervise as well. I think in these what I call intra-party democracy competitions, you are bound to run into some of these administrative challenges…”
Dr John Osae-Kwapong
Commending the NDC on the outcome of the elections, Dr Osae-Kwapong noted that it’s always a lesson for the political parties in terms of how they continuously find ways to deal with some of the administrative issues and challenges that come up as they prepare for their internal party elections.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has revealed that the outcome of its presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday gives a clear indication that the party has what it takes to win the 2024 election.
National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah indicated that the caliber of individuals elected shows that the NDC is hungry for victory.
