We Take This Very Seriously; EC on Suspect with Stolen BVD
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana says it does not take lightly the discovery of a Biometric Verification Device (BVD) in possession of a suspect arrested in Nsawam last week.
“The Commission takes this incident of an unauthorised person in possession of a BVD very seriously,” it said in a press statement, adding that it is prepared to collaborate with the Ghana Police Service to unravel the mystery behind it.
“The Commission urges the Police to do everything in their power to unravel the circumstances surrounding the BVD that was found in the possession of the person arrested on Friday. The Commission stands in readiness to work with the Police in its investigations.”
The EC further noted that an internal investigation is also being conducted to bring the matter to a logical conclusion.
The general public was also assured that the stolen BVD would not have any impact on the outcome of the election.
“The Commission would like to assure the General Public and all Stakeholders that a stolen BVD cannot jeopardise the integrity of the 2024 Elections.”
Arrest
The police service on August 23 arrested a man identified as Yaw Korateng at Nsawam in the Eastern Region after a BVD was found in his possession.
Currently in police custody, the suspect is assisting the investigation.
Stolen Device
The Minority in Parliament in March 2024 sounded the alarm about seven biometric devices that had been stolen from the head office of the EC.
However, it was downplayed by the Commission which at the time postulated that only five laptops from the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits had gone missing and not BVDs.
At a press conference on March 20, 2024, the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Mr Bossman Asare, said the missing devices would have no impact on the election.
“They do not contain any information on any voter neither do they contain any critical information so we want everyone to know that we are fully ready for the elections ahead. So there are no risks as far as the electoral commission is concerned.”
