NPP Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah refutes double voter registration allegations

Richard Ahiagbah, the director of communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has refuted claims that he attempted to register twice for the Limited Voter Registration Exercise.
He denied the allegations in a statement, calling them unfounded.

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Ketu South electoral registration facility, chaos broke out as Mr. Ahiagbah attempted to get his name added to the voter list.
According to reports, his registration process was halted due to concerns from National Democratic Congress (NDC) authorities.

Agents for the NDC contended that Ahiagbah had taken part in the 2020 election, which may amount to double registration if his application was approved.

The tense atmosphere at the registration center was captured in a widely shared social media video, in which background voices questioned Mr. Ahiagbah’s legitimacy due to his purported involvement in the last election.
Although Ahiagbah, a national executive of the NPP was initially calm in the video, segments also revealed him engaging heatedly with a police officer present.

In response to the allegations,Mr. Ahiagbah released a statement refuting the allegations: “I have seen some videos on social media by NDC operatives to misinform Ghanaians. The claim that I tried to do double registration is false and without merit. ”

Going further into the incident at the registration centre, he explained, “I have been a registered voter in Ketu South since 2000, with my citizenship and residency well-known to the NDC agent challenging my eligibility. In 2020, I received a voter’s ID from the Electoral Commission, but encountered biometric registration issues during the 2023 limited exercise. Attempts to rectify this were deferred to later registrations.”

Mr. Ahiagbah continued, “Today, I sought to address the EC’s administrative error at the same registration center, only to face obstructive challenges from NDC agents. Despite my efforts to resolve the situation, both NDC representatives and EC officials persisted.”

However, Mr. Ahiagbah is being accused of double registration, and the opposition NDC is pushing for his arrest.

Read the entire statement below;

I have seen some videos on social media by NDC operatives to misinform Ghanaians. The claim that I tried to do double registration is false and without merit.

Here is what happened:

1. I have registered and voted in Ketu South since 2000, and my citizenship and sonship of Ketu South are well-known to the NDC agent who challenged my eligibility today.

2. In 2020, I received a voter’s ID for the 2020 general elections from the Electoral Commission. However, during the 2023 limited voter registration exercise, my biometrics failed to register, and I’ve since discovered that many others have had the same issue.

3. I tried to rectify this administrative error during the 2023 limited voter registration exercise, but the EC officials advised me to seek inclusion later or get a new voter’s ID card during the 2024 limited voter registration window.

4. Today, I went to the registration center where I registered in 2020 to fix the EC’s administrative error, but I was met with a frivolous and obstructive challenge to my eligibility.

5. Despite my attempts to advise the NDC challenger to stop obstructing the registration process, both the NDC agents and EC officials paid no attention.

6. This challenge is a sign of more disruptive acts to come. Therefore, I urge the EC to take a firm and decisive stance to deal with these tendencies and ensure peace.

7. I am committed to going through all the necessary processes to get my name on the register, exercise my democratic right to vote, and support the New Patriotic Party on December 7th.

Thank you.

Richard Ahiagbah
Director of Communications, New Patriotic Party