The Electoral Commission (EC) has scheduled a meeting with registered political parties as part of preparations for the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election.
In a notice dated February 6, 2026, and addressed to the General Secretaries of all registered political parties, the Commission announced that it will convene an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
According to the EC, the meeting will take place at 11:00 a.m. at its Corporate Head Office in Accra and will focus exclusively on matters relating to the conduct and organisation of the Ayawaso East by-election.
The Commission has directed that each political party be represented by only two delegates at the meeting.
The notice was signed by Dr Bossman Eric Asare, Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission in charge of Corporate Services, acting on behalf of the Chairperson.
The Ayawaso East by-election has attracted heightened attention in recent days, following internal developments within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including allegations of vote-buying during the party’s parliamentary primaries. These developments have intensified public and political interest in the electoral process ahead of the by-election.
The EC said the IPAC meeting forms part of its routine stakeholder engagement aimed at ensuring transparency, consensus-building and smooth electoral administration ahead of major electoral activities.
IPAC meetings traditionally provide a platform for the Commission and political parties to discuss operational, security and logistical issues related to elections, while also addressing concerns raised by stakeholders.
The Commission is expected to brief parties on key timelines, electoral arrangements and measures being put in place to ensure a free, fair and credible by-election in the Ayawaso East constituency.
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Meanwhile, Election Watch Ghana has launched a scathing critique of the electoral process following reports of widespread malpractices during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ayawaso East primaries, describing the incidents as a “blatant disregard for democratic principles.”
In a formal statement released on Monday, February 9, 2026, the advocacy group highlighted a dangerous legal vacuum that allows candidates to engage in “cash-and-carry” politics during internal party contests without fear of prosecution.
The outcry follows the circulation of a social media video reportedly showing a candidate, Baba Jamal, distributing television sets to voters and boiled eggs to delegates. In a subsequent television interview, Jamal admitted to giving out the televisions, characterizing them as “gifts.”
Election Watch Ghana, however, argues that such acts compromise the fairness and transparency essential to a healthy democracy. “While Section 33 of the Representation of the People Law, 1992, prohibits vote-buying in general elections, the law currently does not explicitly cover internal party elections,” the statement read. “This loophole creates an environment where candidates may feel emboldened to engage in malpractices.”
While the organization commended the NDC leadership for its prompt verbal condemnation of the act, it urged the party to move beyond rhetoric. The group is demanding:
- Electoral Commission (EC) Action: A full investigation into the alleged incidents and sanctions for those found guilty.
- Internal Discipline: The NDC must hold members accountable to uphold its own rules.
- Law Enforcement Involvement: A collaborative investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to prosecute offenders.
To prevent a recurrence, Election Watch Ghana is calling for immediate legislative intervention to seal the “internal primary loophole.” Key recommendations include:
- Amending Section 33 of the Representation of the People Law (1992) to explicitly include internal party elections.
- Introducing specific provisions in the Political Parties Law (2016) to strictly forbid and penalize vote-buying during primaries.
“Election Watch Ghana urges all stakeholders—including political parties, civil society, and citizens—to work together to protect Ghana’s democratic values and ensure free, fair, and transparent elections,” the organization concluded.