Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Dzifa Gomashie has accused Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), of engaging in double registration, alleging that the Electoral Commission (EC) is too intimidated to address the issue.
Gomashie detailed that this isn’t the first time the EC has allegedly permitted Ahiagbah to bypass electoral regulations.
She cited a previous incident in 2020, where despite irregularities in his registration, Ahiagbah was allowed to vote after making several calls at his polling station.
“How was his name not in the register yet he could vote,” Gomashie questioned, reflecting her frustration with the perceived leniency towards Ahiagbah.
“If you remember in 2020, Richard Ahiagbah at his registered polling station was making several calls and the EC allowed him to vote at the end.”
Purported evidence emerged showing that Mr. Ahiagbah voted in the 2020 election without his name printed on the voter roll.
A photo of the voter register used during the election shows that of the details of Mr. Ahiagbah, including his supposed voter identification number, name, age, date of birth, and polling station code, all written by an electoral official at the bottom of the register with a pen before he proceeded to cast his vote.
In a phone-in with host of Yen Nsempa Nana Yaa Brefo, co-hosted by Isaac Ekow JB, Gomashie expressed her concerns over what she described as “raw intimidation” caused by the arrival of Richard Ahiagbah and his convoy, including the Regional Chairman, Nana B, and others at the Ketu South electoral registration centre on May 22, 2024.
When asked about her actions regarding Ahiagbah’s denial of the double registration claims, Gomashie admitted her frustration with the EC’s lack of transparency.
“I am so disappointed in the electoral system in this country and some of its staff who condone people to do the wrong thing,” she said.
She mentioned that the EC advised them to raise concerns during the exhibition day as that is the only time they can register their frustration but remained skeptical about the process.
Gomashie lamented that these challenges and shortcomings could hinder a free and fair election, especially when individuals who assist the EC in its goal are often vilified.
“If we want to have a free and fair election in Ghana, this intimidation is unnecessary and will not let the goal be achieved,” she asserted.
Gomashie urged Ghanaians, especially politicians, to maintain integrity. “We must stand for something, else we stand for anything,” she advised.
Source: 3news.com
