Immigration officers stationed in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region intercepted 3,000 ballot papers on Thursday, December 5, 2024. The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. at Hevi, an unapproved route frequently used for cross-border activities. The ballots were allegedly being transported to Vodome, a community in neighboring Togo.
The suspect, identified as Abraham Ahiabu, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Constituency Secretary for Akatsi North, was apprehended during a routine monitoring exercise conducted by immigration officers in the Ave Havi area. The intercepted ballots comprised three booklets, each containing 1,000 ballots.
Suspicious circumstances
During initial questioning, Ahiabu claimed that the ballots were intended for voter education purposes in Vodome. He asserted that the materials were meant to instruct voters on how to cast their ballots during Ghana’s upcoming elections.
However, this explanation has raised serious concerns. Ahiabu reportedly disclosed that he possessed an additional 20,000 ballot booklets, bringing the total to a staggering 23,000. The use of an unapproved route, coupled with the sheer volume of ballots, has deepened suspicions about the true intent of the operation.
Critics have questioned why a Ghanaian election official would conduct voter education exercises in Togo, raising allegations of a possible scheme to facilitate illegal voter participation in Ghana’s electoral process.
Authorities step in
Following his arrest, Ahiabu was handed over to the Ghana Police Service at the Akatsi North District headquarters for further investigation. The seized ballots were transferred to the Akatsi North District Electoral Commission for examination to determine their authenticity and assess their potential use.
Electoral integrity
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for vigilance as Ghana approaches its next election. Allegations of voter mobilization from Togo and the use of unapproved routes have intensified fears about potential electoral malpractice.
The Ghana Immigration Service and other security agencies are conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the full extent of the operation and ensure that Ghana’s electoral integrity remains uncompromised.
About The Author
