NPP Parliamentary Aspirants Pay More Money to Delegates than NDC 

In a panel discussion on Opemsuo Radio’s Nkwantannanso with Kofi Boakye, Isaac Amoah, the Managing Editor of the New Trust Newspaper,  claimed that parliamentary aspirants from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) offer larger sums of money to delegates as compared to those from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“NPP aspirants pay more to delegates than the NDC. I know the NDC pay, but not as much as the NPP, even when the NDC is in power. The NDC won’t pay GHC5000 and GHC8000 to delegates, but the NPP will,” stated Mr. Amoah, citing interactions with delegates who reportedly confirmed the payment disparities.

When asked if this discrepancy was influenced by the NPP being in power, he argued that he has observed both the NDC in power and out of power, and it has not significantly impacted the amount they offer delegates to secure votes.

“We have seen it when the NDC was in power and when they are not. Based on what I have witnessed and heard in elections, most of the money paid by contestants in the name of transport, the NPP pays more than the NDC,” he reiterated.

Mr. Amoah also criticized the political parties for not establishing systems to curb the practice of vote buying and selling during elections.

Recent reports during the recent NPP parliamentary primary suggested instances of vote buying, with videos circulating on social media showing 32-inch smart television sets branded with the image of the current Member of Parliament for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama.

Moreover,  despite claims by the Tema West Chairman of the NPP, Mr Kwaku Poku Bosompem that money distributed at the polling station was intended for transportation and not to influence delegates, concerns over vote-buying and increased monetization of ballots have resurfaced.

The parliamentary primary was held in 105 constituencies across the country, resulting in the defeat of several incumbent Members of Parliament seeking re-election.

Story by Adwoa S. Danso