Governance and political analyst Professor Jonathan Asante Otchere has warned that alleged vote-buying, internal rivalries and security concerns could threaten unity within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following its constituency elections.
Speaking on Ahotor 92.3 FM’s Adekye Mu Nsem programme, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu, via telephone, the Executive Director of the African Institute of Strategic Studies described the elections as a high-stakes exercise, arguing that the outcomes could influence parliamentary candidate selections, regional and national executive contests, and the party’s future flagbearership race.
According to him, the interests of incumbent Members of Parliament, aspiring parliamentary candidates and other party stakeholders have contributed to the intensity of the contests across the country.
He explained that the elections go beyond selecting constituency executives, forming part of a wider political process that could shape the party’s leadership at regional and national levels.
Vote-buying raises concerns about credibility
Prof. Asante Otchere identified vote-buying as one of the major concerns surrounding internal party elections, warning that the practice could undermine the credibility of the democratic process.
Although he described the constituency elections as largely successful, he said concerns about the influence of money on delegates and the conduct of some contestants needed to be addressed.
He noted that internal party contests could become particularly intense because contestants often know one another’s strengths, weaknesses and political strategies. This familiarity, he said, could lead to the use of personal information to discredit opponents and deepen divisions.
The analyst stressed the need for discipline, fairness and effective mechanisms to manage disagreements during party elections.
Security concerns in some constituencies
Prof. Asante Otchere also condemned incidents of disorder associated with some constituency elections, referring to reports of disturbances in parts of the country, including the Ashanti Region.
He cited an incident involving a ballot box being taken to a police station, saying such developments highlighted the need for stronger security preparedness during internal elections.
According to him, some constituencies have historically experienced political tension, making intelligence gathering and careful security planning essential.
He urged party supporters to ensure that disagreements over electoral outcomes do not degenerate into violence or actions that threaten the democratic process.
Reconciliation needed ahead of regional and national elections
With the NDC’s regional and national elections still ahead, Prof. Asante Otchere said reconciliation would be critical to restoring confidence among supporters and maintaining party unity.
However, he acknowledged that reconciliation could be complicated by the competing interests of senior party officials who may also have ambitions in upcoming elections.
He said the national chairman and national secretary could face challenges in managing disputes while navigating their own political interests. He cautioned that interventions perceived as favouring one faction could worsen divisions within the party.
The analyst called for careful engagement and decisions that promote fairness rather than deepen factional tensions.
Questions over neutrality in the flagbearership contest
Prof. Asante Otchere also discussed questions surrounding the position of the NDC national chairman if he decides to contest the party’s flagbearership.
He said the continued occupation of an executive position by a potential flagbearer could raise concerns about neutrality and fairness, depending on the circumstances and applicable party rules.
He added that the emergence of other potential flagbearer aspirants could influence how party members assess the leadership contest and the role of the national executive.
The analyst stressed that all qualified aspirants should be allowed to compete fairly, without undue advantage arising from the positions they hold within the party.
He maintained that while competition for party positions is a legitimate part of internal democracy, the process must be guided by credible elections, discipline and respect for established procedures.
As the NDC prepares for its regional and national elections, he said addressing concerns about vote-buying, security and internal rivalries would be important to preserving party cohesion and public confidence in its internal democratic process.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah