Special Prosecutor to deploy operatives nationwide to prevent election fraud in 2024
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced plans to deploy investigative operatives across Ghana to monitor and prevent the falsification of election returns during the 2024 general elections.
In a half-yearly report dated July 11, 2024, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng detailed the OSP’s strategy to ensure the integrity of the elections.
The report indicated that covert and investigative operatives would be stationed nationwide before, during, and after the elections to monitor, suppress, and repress any attempts to falsify election returns.
The OSP issued a stern warning to Electoral Commission (EC) officers at polling stations to refrain from manipulating vote counts.
The office emphasized the importance of accurate and transparent reporting of election results and reminded officers that willfully falsifying vote counts or making false returns is a grave offense.
The OSP highlighted its mandate, under anti-corruption powers, to ensure the integrity of the elections by preventing, detecting, and prosecuting corruption.
This mandate is supported by section 79 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), and sections 256 and 258 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Furthermore, the OSP warned against any attempts to influence the election outcome through corrupt means. It emphasized that corruption, intimidation, and impersonation related to the elections are prohibited by law.
The office assured the public that it would address any such occurrences promptly and reminded individuals that violations could result in a seven-year ban from voting and ineligibility for public office, including the presidency or membership in Parliament.
