Two Togolese nationals were apprehended by police on Sunday afternoon around 4 PM in the Buem Constituency of the Jasikan District, raising significant concerns about the integrity of the ongoing voter registration process in that enclave. The suspects were allegedly brought into the country by executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to participate in the voter registration exercise.
According to initial reports, the suspects were part of a larger group transported by NDC constituency executives with the intent of illegally registering them as voters. The operation was interrupted when security personnel arrived, prompting the rest of the group to flee the scene. The two apprehended suspects are currently detained at the Jasikan Divisional Police Command and are assisting authorities with their investigations.
This incident has heightened scrutiny of the current voter registration system, particularly the guarantor mechanism, which allows individuals to vouch for the eligibility of registrants. Critics argue that this system is being exploited to fraudulently register foreign nationals, undermining the credibility of the voter roll.
In the wake of the arrests, the NDC Constituency Chairman and Organizer are reportedly working to secure bail for the detained individuals. This development has sparked a broader debate about the effectiveness of the guarantor system and the motivations behind the NDC’s vigorous support for its retention.
The NDC leadership has consistently opposed the Electoral Commission’s efforts to eliminate the guarantor system in favor of using the GhanaCard as the sole identification document for voter registration. The party contends that the GhanaCard alone would disenfranchise many eligible voters who currently lack the card, while proponents of the change argue it would ensure a more secure and accurate voter registry.
The police are closely monitoring the situation as investigations continue, and the incident has amplified calls for reforms to safeguard the electoral process in Ghana.