Three arrested EC officials free on bail

Three officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) who were arrested on Sunday in the Northern Region over alleged forgery and faking of EC’s pink sheets have been granted bail while police conduct further investigations into the matter.

Ben Akumanua, Savelugu/Nanton District Director of the EC and Salamatu Usman, a national service personnel, were earlier arrested in Savelugu for allegedly trying to fill the pink sheets while Godfred Oakney, Deputy Northern Regional Director of the EC was later arrested in Tamale the same day as an accomplice.

The Police Command with the assistance of some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) made the arrest and sent them to Tamale. After taking their statements, the suspects were granted bail with sureties to assist the police in their investigations.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ebenezer Tetteh, Public Relations Officer of the Northern Regional Police Command told the GNA that the police were yet to take a decision as to whether to prosecute the suspects.

Police Superintendent Alhaji Mahama Arhin, Northern Regional Crime Officer, had earlier told the GNA that the police received reports about attempts by the EC officials to make changes on 15 pink sheets which he said, was illegal in accordance with section 30f of the EC’s regulations.

Superintendent Arhin said the two suspects told the police in their statements that they were instructed by the Deputy Northern Regional Director of the EC to conduct the exercise which led to his arrest.