Fake ballots found at Wa

Fake ballots thumb-printed in favour of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo were found in ballot boxes during counting in some polling stations in the Upper West Region.

The fake ballots that had the photographs of Nana Akufo-Addo and Professor Mills and their respective party symbols however looked brighter than the valid Electoral Commission ballots.

The fake ballots were also smaller in size than that of the valid EC ballot.

The fake thumb-printed ballots also had invalid stamps different from the official valid stamp from the E.C.

It took the vigilance of polling agents of the NDC to detect the fake ballots during counting at Busa Primary "B" electoral area in the Wa municipality.

The agents filed a protest and called for a recount and a rejection of the fake ballots.

A recount of the ballots at the polling station at the collation centre at the Wa Municipal Assembly hall revealed 63 of such fake ballots which were rejected.

Of the number, 52 had a fake validation stamp number EC 20371 while 11 had fake validation stamp number NEC 23927.

The validation stamp of the polling station from the EC had the number EC 20632.

Information reaching the Times also had it that four of such thumb-printed fake ballots in favour of Nana Akufo-Addo were also detected through the vigilance of NDC party agents during counting at the Veterinary polling station also in the Wa municipality.

The Upper West Regional Director of the EC, Yahaya Mahama who shook his head in disbelieve at the revelation said "I have been hearing of fake ballots but I have never seen one until today."

The situation has been a source of worry to supporters of the NDC who believe that such fake ballots could pass for valid ballots in polling stations where agents are not alert.