The Electoral Commission (EC) has sacked a female electoral officer in the Bawku Central Constituency who was suspected to have tampered with a number of presidential ballot papers in the ongoing voting exercise.
According to reports, the Ballot Issuing Officer, Ahmed Shafawo, stationed at the Alhaji Salam Polling Station allegedly presented a presidential ballot paper with 11 candidates instead of 12 to a voter.
Indications are that the officer or her accomplices may have torn away the portion of the ballot sheet which bears the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who doubles as the current president of the country.
The unlawful act was discovered and subsequently reported by a voter who had been issued with the tampered ballot paper to cast his vote.
Confirming the incident, the Upper East Regional Director of EC, William Obeng Adarkwa, indicated that the culprit, Madam Shafawo, has since been picked up by the Bawku Divisional Police Command and is assisting investigations.
The EC in a press release said for a correctly thumb printed presidential ballot in this year’s election to be considered valid and counted, it should bear 12 candidates.
The commission also entreated all its staff and field officials to let the truth guide them and integrity lead them as they continue with the electoral exercise.
Additionally, political parties, candidates and the general public have been admonished to be vigilant to ensure a free fair credible and transparent election.
Meanwhile, reports coming in from the Awutu Senya West Constituency also indicate that the Commission in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service has identified and sacked another electoral officer who was allegedly found to have tampered with presidential ballot papers in the ongoing polls.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Ghana
