Mahama Demands Full Probe into Alleged Ballot Paper Tampering in Elections

President-elect John Mahama has called for an immediate investigation into the illegal possession of genuine ballot papers by unauthorized individuals during the recently concluded elections.

Addressing a delegation from minority political parties, Mahama underscored the urgent need for stricter measures to secure ballot papers and prevent irregularities that threaten the credibility of the electoral process.

His concerns follow reports of individuals being arrested with thumb-printed ballot papers, raising serious questions about the printing and distribution of election materials.

“How do these people get hold of genuine Electoral Commission ballot papers? Who prints them, and who gives them access to these materials?” Mahama questioned, demanding a thorough probe into the issue.

The president-elect also proposed revisiting the Electoral Commission’s reliance on local printing companies, suggesting that outsourcing ballot printing abroad might reduce leaks and prevent duplication.

Mahama further criticized discrepancies in pink sheets—key documents for recording results—which he said sometimes varied between coalition centers and parties. He warned that such inconsistencies could indicate potential manipulation by electoral officers, calling for urgent reforms to ensure Ghana’s electoral integrity remains intact.

“Ballot paper security is non-negotiable. If we fail to address these issues, we risk undermining the trust and fairness of our elections,” Mahama emphasized.