NDC Denies Hajia Amina’s Request for Virtual Vetting Over Islamic Widowhood Rites

The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has turned down a request by Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late Ayawaso East MP Nasser Toure Mahama, to participate in the party’s parliamentary vetting process virtually.

Hajia Amina’s team submitted the request on Tuesday, January 27, citing her mourning period and the observance of Islamic widowhood rites as reasons for seeking an online vetting. However, the party maintained that all aspirants must appear in person.

Deputy Director of Elections for the NDC, Rashid Tanko Computer, explained that the party’s stance on virtual vetting has remained consistent.

“The party received a request from Hajia Amina’s camp for virtual vetting. We discussed it thoroughly, but our position has always been clear: only candidates outside the country and facing extreme difficulty in attending vetting are allowed this privilege. No candidate within Ghana has ever been granted virtual vetting,” he said on TV3’s Ghana Tonight.

He further stressed that the FEC could not set a precedent that might be cited by future aspirants seeking similar exemptions.

“We cannot create a situation where others could claim the Functional Executive has varied its decisions. The rules must apply equally to all candidates,” he added.

Vetting for the five aspirants contesting the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The NDC parliamentary primaries are set for February 7, 2026, while the Electoral Commission has scheduled the by-election for March 3, 2026.