General News of 2013-02-19

Pink sheet exposé is an act of God – Akomea

Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akomea says the arrest of three Electoral Commission (EC) officials in the Northern region for attempting to validate unsigned pink sheets used in the December polls was “an act of God”.

He said the attempt by the EC to tamper with evidence of a case pending before the Supreme Court gives credence to the NPP’s claim that there were massive irregularities in the December polls.

Three EC officials were over the weekend arrested in Savelugu for allegedly attempting to sign 15 pink sheets used in the general election.

The culprits who have been granted bail according to the Commission will be invited as part of investigations to ascertain the veracity of the case.

But the NPP whose flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo and two others who have filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the results announced by the EC suspect foul play.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Monday, Nana Akomea said the NPP will treat the matter with all the seriousness it deserves to ensure justice is served.

He indicated that the petitioners will formally bring the issue to the attention of the justices of the Supreme Court because it has a bearing on the case before it.

“There are 1,825 pink sheets without signatures which goes against the electoral laws and the total votes involved is 16,109 which is likely to affect the election results” he added.

Nana Akomea posited that the NPP anticipated that the EC may want to interfere with evidence that is why it asked the court to force the Commission to tender in all the original pink sheets for safe keeping.

The (NPP) Director of Communications said EC has been caught red handed trying to change the documents because they know the NPP has a case in court.

He said the NPP’s battle against the EC and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is the Lord's and thus anyone or group of persons orchestrating to forge documents will be exposed in broad day light.

Nana Akomea commended the NPP supporters who accosted the culprits for their vigilance and urged them to be steadfast for the battle ahead.

On the contrary, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC, Ade Coker said the NPP is just playing mischief with the issue.

He stated that even if the EC officials succeeded in validating the unsigned pink sheets, it will not affect the case in court because all the parties involved have duplicate copies.

Ade Coker who suspects the NPP is employing fair or foul means to satisfy its expectant supporters said “it is a failed agenda”.