Afari Gyan dismisses poll rigging allegations by NPP

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan has dismissed allegations the 2012 general elections were rigged.

The New Patriotic Party is contesting some of the figures that came from some constituencies in the just ended election which was declared in favour of the incumbent.

President elect John Mahama polled over 5 million votes representing 50.70 per cent whilst his closest rival and opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo also polled a little over 5 million representing 47.74 per cent.

But the NPP is alleging widespread fraud in the elections. It claims some of the figures were manipulated to favour the incumbent leader.

The party leaders claim over 54,000 votes were added to that of the incumbent and they have made copies of the alleged fraud and distributed it to party supporters some of whom have hit the streets in wild protests.

The elders of the party are in a crunch meeting, Tuesday, to decide whether to proceed to court for redress.

But in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, the chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan said allegations of vote rigging are false.

He added however that the constitution makes provision for any aggrieved party to go to court if it feels cheated.

That, he said, is the only option left for the NPP.