Viral Mahama election rigging audio false

Claim: An X user, @edemgilbert, has shared an audio in which he accuses John Mahama, the 2024 NDC flagbearer, of plotting with Electoral Commission officials to rig the election in the Ashanti region. 

Verdict: False
Explanation: There is no evidence that the voices in the audio are those of John Mahama and an Electoral Commission official in the Ashanti Region. A content analysis conducted on the audio revealed some discrepancies. In the audio, the alleged EC official was asked if he was the “Leading Returning Officer,” he responded that he was the group’s leader.

The Electoral Commission’s organisational structure does not have a role called Leading Returning Officer. Regulation 2 of the Public Elections Regulation, 2020 (C.I. 127) provides that the Commission shall appoint Returning Officers in the various constituencies for Parliamentary elections.

Also, in the audio, the alleged EC officer was asked if he had initiated the plan, and he responded, “We are done with nine, and we are left with seven.” However, the Ashanti Region has 48 constituencies, not 16. Therefore, the region has 48 Returning officers. There is no evidence to support the allegations.