The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of engaging in electoral malpractice by deliberately printing fake ballot papers for the upcoming December 7 elections.
The NDC claims this is part of a broader scheme to manipulate the electoral process in favor of the NPP.
In a press release announcing a three-day tour of the Western Region by its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, the NDC expressed deep concerns over what it described as credible evidence of the alleged malpractice.
According to Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the Campaign Spokesperson for John Mahama, “We have credible information about the illicit printing of fake ballot papers by the NPP and the Bawumia campaign, intended to compromise the integrity of the electoral process.”
The statement also accused the NPP of plotting to intimidate voters in NDC strongholds as done in the 2016 election to facilitate the introduction of pre-thumb-printed ballot papers.
“We are aware of attempts by the ruling party to manipulate the elections by intimidating voters and polling agents in our strongholds, enabling them to introduce already thumb-printed ballots,” the statement read.
The NDC warned that it would not tolerate any actions that undermine Ghana’s democratic process. “The NDC will not sit idly by or allow any attempts to subvert the will of the people. We are ready and determined to resist any electoral manipulation by the NPP and the Bawumia campaign,” Mogtari emphasized.
The party called on the Electoral Commission (EC), President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to uphold integrity in the electoral process.
“We urge the Electoral Commission, the President, and his Vice President to ensure that the election is free, fair, and devoid of intimidation or vote tampering,” the statement said.
The NDC also encouraged Ghanaians to exercise their right to vote without fear. “We remind all Ghanaians that the power lies in your hands. Your voice matters, and together, we will ensure every vote is counted,” Mogtari noted.
These allegations come on the heels of the Electoral Commission’s admission of errors in the serialisation of ballot papers printed for the Volta and Ahafo regions. The affected ballot papers were subsequently destroyed.
The NDC, however, sees this incident as further evidence of a deliberate attempt by the NPP to rig the elections.
The accusations add to growing tensions as the country prepares for the crucial December polls
