The Western Regional office of the Electoral Commission has confirmed to Citi News claims by the opposition New Patriotic Party in the region; that six of its ballot boxes meant for December 7 polls, have gone missing.
According to the NPP, the incident occurred when the six boxes, which were part of a bulk of 44 boxes, were being transferred from the Western Regional Head Office of the Electoral Commission to the various constituencies.
Speaking to Citi News in Takoradi, the Western Regional Secretary of the NPP, Charles Cromwell Bissue, explained that “on 16th of November 2016, when the ballot boxes were being transported to the various constituencies in the region, in between Tarkwa, six of the boxes went missing. It was reported to the Tarkwa Police; but later had to be reported to the Kwesimintsim Police Command yesterday [Friday]. We got wind of it and we were told the police have started investigations it.”
‘We’re unhappy’
He added that, “as a political party we are not happy. As a result, we have called for a regional executive committee meeting to look into the matter.
The reason is that; as a political party we are trying to restore democratic integrity into our electoral processes. However, there are so much suspicions transpiring now, in view of the fact that people do not trust the EC now. We were helping the EC to restore integrity but it appears the EC does not want it.”
‘We’ll audit the ballot boxes’
Mr. Bissue concluded that, “because of this issue, we have called all our constituency executives to go to the district EC offices to audit all the ballot papers, count them book by book and page by page to ascertain what is happening there.”
Sekondi parliamentary ballot papers ‘over-bloated’
Mr. Bissue also alleged that, the EC has printed more than enough of the ballot papers for parliamentary elections in Sekondi, an NPP stronghold, contrary to its own rules that allows for only five percent extra ballot.
“The EC has a policy that, 5 percent of the ballot papers will be added to the voter population in each constituency, however it is not so. Sekondi constituency for example has over 168 of the parliamentary papers which we need to look into. So we want to help the EC to do a good job.”
‘Missing’ ballot boxes fell from moving truck – EC
When Citi News contacted the Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Stephen Opoku Mensah, he confirmed that the incident, saying the boxes have not been stolen but fell off the Commission’s moving truck.
“Yes; the incident that the NPP is talking about happened; but it was not that it was stolen. Six empty boxes fell off on the road when they were being transported; but the police are looking into the matter.
He downplayed allegations of any foul play, and called for calm.
Poor security for election materials?
It appears there’s very little security for the election materials considering the importance of such a national exercise.
When Citi News visited the Western Regional office of the Electoral Commission, the election materials were being arranged in the open with no security.
The wired-fence wall to the regional office has collapsed for several months, making the premises easily accessible.
Source: Citifmonline.com
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Now EC can't full us again. NPP is awake and watching closely. And EC be very very careful
Npp, pls open your eyes ooo. Don't only complain but take actions
you see how dishonest the EC is, how do you even know and can tell it fell on the way ..how come you are so sure it was not stolen but fell, so if you know it fell you should then know where it fell so go and pick it up and show it to us and also tell us exactly where it fell, cause you know it fell.. empty headed people with mere academic papers driving a whole nation into chaos for selfish gains..but who told you this time around we will allow you to live and reap the fruit of your evil....be there and f00l: NPP dont stop using the law court to press home what needs to be done to ensure transparency.. charlotte is only interested in making up and taking pictures for the media and stealing to maintain only whom you know can give her...
GOD WILL APPEAR AT ONCE AFTER DECLAIRING THAT NDC HAS WON AGAIN BECAUSE HE WILL NOT SIT ON HIS THRONE FOR GHANAIANS TO SUFFER ANOTHER 4 YEARS HARDSHIP NANA GO COME I SWEAR MY FATHER CANTOO N IS FOR REAL. CHANGE IS COMING OOOOOOO BAM.
eeeeiii EC becareful ooooo.... this time we wont sit for rigging to take place oooo
PLS OUR LEADERS IN THE NPP SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS CASE OOO PLSOOOOO THEY SHOULD NOT SIT DOWN IN THEIR OFFICE AND ONLY TALK PLS CALL THE MATTER TO ORDER OO PLS MMMMMMMMM OR ELSE WE WILL NOT FORGIVE U OOOO
WE ARE TOM PRINTING IT AND WILL MAKE SURE THAT SHORT MAN NEVER COMES TO POWER
missing ballot boxes and ec is claiming it fell down on a moving truck.God is watching your weaked mood towards the election. I pray that may The Almighty God should destroyed any person plan to dishonest the election. may such people should totally disgrace and destroy in the name of Jesus.father God is only you who have the power to give us the leader.God help us.Amen.
this is unacceptable in an election year. How can ballot boxes just fall off a truck? This is a plot between a political party and the EC. We shouldn't accept these from the EC. God help our motherland Ghana. All political parties should be vigilant in the upcoming election. I hate what i am witnessing as a citizen of this Great Nation.
This madam Trumpet mouth will bring problems to this country peeeeh