Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ayawaso East parliamentary contender, justified the distribution of television sets to delegates throughout the party’s parliamentary primary.
He claimed that the action was not intended to influence voting choices.
The campaign staff of ambitious Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed presented 32-inch TVs to delegates who voted in the parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency.
Candidate Baba Jamal has reportedly engaged in vote-buying, with sources alleging that he gave 32-inch NASCO television sets to delegates before the NDC Ayawaso primary.
The crew also gave boiled eggs to delegates, which resulted in some jostling among certain attendees who attempted to obtain the goods.
Baba Jamal addressed the media during the Ayawaso East NDC parliamentary primary, stating that some delegates received television sets, but he disputed allegations that the gesture constituted vote-buying.
“So, if you provide television sets to people, what is wrong with giving things to people?” he questioned. “Is this the first time I’ve offered something to people?”
He justified his actions as in keeping with his lifelong personal practice of financially and materially helping individuals, adding that generosity had always been a component of his public life.
“Those of you who know me are aware that every Christmas, on every event, and in every instance, I have set aside GHS 2.5 million in free loans to give to individuals,” he said. “So, if people are voting today and we are providing them something, what is wrong with that?”
Baba Jamal contended that the ethical problem was not the act of donating, but whether such gifts were permitted to influence voters’ decisions.
Source: myjoyonline.com
