Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Member of Parliament for Joaboso in the Western North Region, has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of plotting to rig the presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7.
According to him, the EC’s recent activities in his constituency are problematic and jeopardize the Commission’s impartiality ahead of the election.
Addressing a news conference in Joaboso on Tuesday, November 19, Akandoh expressed worry regarding the abrupt transfer of the District Electoral Officer in Sefwi Juaboso, with only 18 days till the polls.
Joaboso MP raises alarm over alleged rigging plot by EC and NPP
He further stated that a “handpicked replacement” by Dr. Bossman Asare, the EC’s Deputy Chairman in Charge of Corporate Services, has “begun appointing known NPP executives as polling agents.” He claimed that these measures raise major concerns about the Commission’s transparency and fairness.
He warned that no amount of fraud, planted polling officers, or EC manipulation could save them from the inevitable defeat. The people of Ghana have had enough, and they are prepared to give a resounding verdict at the polls.”
He revealed that thirty-three (33) NPP executives have been listed as polling officers in the upcoming elections and is thus requesting their immediate removal.
As a result, the congressman has demanded that an updated list of polling officers be published, along with images. He referenced C.I. 127 in support of his proposal. Regulation 19(6)(a) of the C.I. reads: “the Commission shall (a) publish at the district office of the Commission the names and pictures of persons the Commission proposes to appoint as presiding officers and polling assistants not later than ten days before an election; and (b) furnish a copy of the published names and pictures of the presiding officers to a political party and any candidate contesting the election.”
To address these issues, Hon. Akandoh filed a formal petition with the District Electoral Commission requesting quick action.
