Crime & Punishment of Sunday, 28 December 2008

Source: GNA

Polling Assistant arrested for issuing out two ballot papers to a voter

Agona Duakwa (C/R), Dec. 28, GNA - A Polling Assistant at the Duakwa Old Salvation Army polling station, Mr John Takyi Asante, is helping the Police Divisional Crime Office in Agona Swedru to investigate his alleged involvement in electoral fraud.

According to DSP Kwadwo Osei of the Swedru police, the party agents from the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party at the station saw Mr Asante, issuing out two ballot papers to a voter and protested to the Presiding Officer, Mr Joseph Nunoo. The DCE for Agona East, Mr Armah Frimpong, later visited the station and reported the matter to the police team.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Nunoo said when he later questioned Mr Takyi he explained that it was not deliberate. Mr Nunoo said the unused sheet was later retrieved from the voter whose name was not disclosed.

He said he has reported the arrest to the Agona Swedru Electoral Office and has been mandated to assume additional responsibility as a polling Assistance since there was no standby officer to replace Mr Takyi.