The Electoral Commission (EC) has discredited a viral video alleging some bags branded in the name of the elections management body contained dollars that were being smuggled out of the country by the New Patriotic Party.

According to the EC in a statement signed by Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman in charge of operations, the bags in question contained ballot papers initially printed for the conduct of the 2024 elections in the Ahafo and Volta regions which were eventually destroyed after they were found to be faulty.

"Unfortunately, the original audio of the said video has been muted and replaced with a voice making false claims. The individual is heard falsely stating that the EC-branded bags which contain Ballot Papers meant for destruction rather contain dollars which are being smuggled by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

"We entreat the Public to disregard the claims as they are false. To refresh the Public's memory, the EC destroyed Ballot Papers printed for Ahafo and Volta regions due to serialization issues encountered with the said Ballot Papers. The Ballots were destroyed by Zoomlion under the supervision of the Electoral Commission, that explains the presence of staff of the Electoral Commission and Zoomlion in the said video."

"In the spirit of transparency that characterizes the Commission's operations, the media were invited to cover the destruction. Certificates of destruction as well as the original video are available and serve to buttress the fact that the voice superimposed over the original video is peddling falsehood."

Read also: Election 2024: EC destroys defective ballot papers for Ahafo and Volta regions