Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Dzifa Gomashie, has made a serious accusation against Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). She alleges that Ahiagbah has engaged in double registration, and claims that the Electoral Commission (EC) is too intimidated to address the issue.
Gomashie revealed that this is not 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.
Gomashie expressed her frustration with the perceived leniency towards Ahiagbah, questioning how his name was not in the register yet he could still vote. She recalled that in 2020, Ahiagbah was allowed to vote at his registered polling station after making several calls, despite his name not being on the voter roll.
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 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 the 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. She stated that she is disappointed in the electoral system in Ghana and some of its staff who condone people doing the wrong thing.
Gomashie 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 she remains skeptical about the process. She fears 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.
Gomashie lamented that if Ghana wants to have a free and fair election, this intimidation is unnecessary and will not let the goal be achieved. She urged Ghanaians, especially politicians, to maintain integrity, saying “we must stand for something, else we stand for anything.”
Gomashie’s accusations and concerns have sparked a heated debate about the integrity of Ghana’s electoral system. Many are calling for an investigation into Ahiagbah’s alleged double registration and for the EC to take action to address the issue.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of political parties and their officials in the electoral process. Some are arguing that political parties should not be allowed to interfere with the electoral process, while others believe that they have a crucial role to play in ensuring the integrity of the process.
