Election 2012: Togolese Cross border To Vote

Information reaching DAILY GUIDE from some border communities along the Ghana/Togo border in the Volta Region indicates that there is a clandestine exodus of people from neighboring Togo into the country, apparently to partake in today’s elections.
This exodus, sources along the border including the security agencies alleged, was masterminded by some politicians.
Although there are genuine Ghanaians across the border who might be returning home to cast their vote, a considerable number of Togolese are also crossing over to do same.
The situation, which started gradually yesterday morning, had as at press time, degenerated to the extent that National Security personnel and immigration officers were alleged to be assisting in the process.
The situation made residents to wonder what the National Security and Immigration officers had got to do with persons who claimed to be Ghanaians returning home to vote.
According to DAILY GUIDE sources in Aflao, the National Security was running a well coordinated border crossing system to aid these illegal voters with vehicles, two of which were a blue Toyota Hiace with registration number GR 2533 Q and an ash-coloured Hyundai pickup with registration number GT 267 P.
A source close to the ruling NDC also claimed that the party’s clique was tasked to facilitate the movement of Togolese interested in registering during the biometric exercise. He added that that was a well coordinated exercise from the national through the regional then constituency and polling station executives, particularly those along the border.
The source noted that in some cases, some security personnel who were known to be linked to the party assisted in executing the project. It alleged that the scheme was part of a grand one to win today’s election.
According to it, the encouragement of Togolese to register and also vote was to increase the votes of the NDC in the Volta Region. It noted that the party was expecting 90% of votes in the region.
The source claimed that although the party succeeded in registering thousands of Togolese, the challenge was getting them to vote saying, “most of them are scared of the verification machine. That notwithstanding, we had people go round to encourage them and explain to them that as far as they registered, they could not be stopped.”
He claimed that during the registration process, most of the people were given cutlasses, boots, fertilizers and other farm inputs to encourage them. The majority of these people, he added, would be assisted to come and vote. He alleged that cadres and former military officers in the party had also been stationed at some border communities to facilitate the smooth movement and voting of these illegitimate voters.
Apart from Aflao, similar reports have been lodged at DAILY GUIDE offices by residents and deep-throat sources of the NDC and members of the NPP who are unhappy with the development. Some of the areas include Shia, Nyive and Hordzo in Ho Central constituency. Border communities in Ketu North and Agotime Ziope, Ho West, Buem, Kpando and Hohoe constituencies are recording similar incidents.
 
Source: Daily Guide