Former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, has leveled serious accusations against the Electoral Commission (EC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Speaking at a rally in Sekondi on November 26, 2024, Mahama alleged collusion between the EC and the NPP to manipulate the December 7 general elections.
Mahama claimed the EC has recruited known NPP members as electoral officers in key constituencies, describing it as a deliberate tactic to skew the results. He provided specific examples, alleging the hiring of 65 individuals in the Gomoa East constituency and 33 in Juaboso.
“We have noticed that the EC and the NPP usually collude to rig the election,” Mahama stated. “We must all monitor the election process closely to protect the integrity of our votes.”
Call for Action and Vigilance
The former president urged the Electoral Commission to take immediate steps to address these concerns by replacing the alleged partisan recruits. He also called on his supporters to remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the electoral process.
“The NDC is very vigilant this year. We won’t try to rig the election, so no party should attempt rigging,” he declared.
Mahama stressed that while voters could cast their ballots wisely, any manipulation could undermine the people’s will.
“You can vote wisely, but if the process is manipulated, the results will not reflect the will of the people,” he warned.
EC’s Response to Allegations
In response, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa dismissed the allegations and reassured Ghanaians of the Commission’s commitment to free, fair, and transparent elections. She highlighted that preparations for the elections, including the upcoming special voting exercise on December 2, 2024, are underway to ensure credibility.
This development has heightened tensions as Ghana heads into a critical election, with both major parties emphasizing vigilance to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
