NPP Allegedly Schemes to Rig 2024 Elections Through Special Voting

In a startling revelation, members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Holland Chapter in Amsterdam have uncovered what they allege to be a covert plan by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to manipulate the results of Ghana's 2024 general elections. The alleged scheme revolves around the Special Voting exercise scheduled for 2 December 2024, and raises serious concerns about electoral integrity and fairness.

The Alleged Plot
According to information sourced from a secret meeting held in Kumasi, top NPP officials, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, were involved in strategising a plan purportedly aimed at influencing both the Presidential and Parliamentary outcomes in their favour. President Nana Akufo-Addo, who was reportedly briefed during his visit to Kumasi, is also believed to be aware of the plot.

The plan hinges on the Special Voting elecion, which allows specific groups, such as security personnel, Electoral Commission (EC) officials, journalists, and others with duties on Election Day, to cast their votes ahead of 7 December 2024. This group comprises 131,478 voters across 328 polling stations nationwide, according to the EC's 2024 Certified Voters Register.

The allegations suggest that the NPP intends to infiltrate these polling stations with at least 10 of their members who are not listed as Special Voters to illegally cast votes for Dr. Bawumia and NPP parliamentary candidates. If successful, this could add approximately 3,280 votes in favour of the NPP presidential candidate during the Special Voting alone. These individuals would allegedly vote again on 7 December potentially doubling the figure to 6,560 votes—a significant margin that could influence close elections.

Mechanisms of Alleged Manipulation
Critics question how this scheme could bypass safeguards like facial verification, biometric voter devices (BVD), and indelible ink, but the NDC Holland Chapter claims the NPP could exploit loopholes in the electoral system.

Exceptions and Multiples Lists: The EC has identified 33,352 voters on its Exceptions List and 26,569 on the Multiples List, raising questions about these categories' implications for electoral fraud. Allegations suggest that NPP could collaborate with EC officials to grant access to non-Special Voters through these lists.
Compromised Materials: The use of fake indelible ink, which could be removed after voting, is another concern. This would enable the same individuals to vote twice without detection.
Ballot Stuffing: There are fears that pre-thumb-printed ballots for Dr. Bawumia could be smuggled into ballot boxes during the loosely supervised Special Voting exercise.

A significant advantage for perpetrators is that ballots cast during Special Voting are only counted after the close of the general elections on 7 December, potentially making over-voting or irregularities difficult to trace.

Electoral Integrity at Risk
These allegations underscore the importance of vigilance during the Special Voting exercise. Special Voters’ ballots are integral to Ghana’s electoral process, and any manipulation of their votes could severely undermine public confidence in the final results.

The alleged plot also raises broader concerns about the transparency and accountability of the Electoral Commission. Critics argue that lax supervision during Special Voting and unresolved questions about voter categorisation could create fertile ground for exploitation.

Calls to Action
The NDC must call on its Election Directorate and grassroots members to remain vigilant and ensure rigorous checks at polling stations during the Special Voting day. They must urge increased scrutiny of the EC's processes, particularly the handling of the Exceptions and Multiples Lists.

Furthermore, the NDC must encourage its polling agents to closely monitor the use of voting materials, such as indelible ink, and ensure adherence to biometric verification protocols and facial recognition.

This alleged scheme, if true, represents a significant threat to Ghana’s democratic process. It is imperative for all stakeholders—political parties, civil society organisations, and the international community—to prioritise electoral integrity and safeguard the will of the people.

Upholding Democracy
Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa hinges on the transparency and fairness of its elections. Allegations of vote-rigging not only undermine public trust but also cast a shadow over the legitimacy of elected leaders.

We will expect the NPP to respond to these allegations, but the accusations highlight the need for increased transparency and accountability in Ghana's electoral process. All eyes will be on the EC and political parties to ensure that the 2024 elections reflect the true will of the Ghanaian people.

Conclusion
As the 2024 elections approach, vigilance and transparency remain key to safeguarding democracy. Both the NDC and NPP owe it to Ghanaians to prioritise fairness over tactics that could erode public trust. The EC must also demonstrate impartiality and address concerns to ensure that the electoral process remains free, fair, and credible.

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Written by
Lewis Kwame Addo
Communications Officer
NDC Holland Chapter
Amsterdam