The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has denied conducting any polls on the forthcoming 2016 elections, which put main opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo ahead of President John Mahama.
On Monday June 27, the Daily Guide newspaper reported that the secret survey by the BNI, with support from a pollster, whose name was withheld by the paper, raised doubts about the chances of the President and the governing National Democratic Congress.
The report, which the paper said has since been kept under wraps, was allegedly compiled in March this year, and painted a gloomy picture about the NDC’s electoral fortunes.
It was allegedly carried out in all the 10 regions of the country. It put Mr Akufo-Addo and the NPP (51.85%) ahead of Mr Mahama and the NDC (41.52%). It further added that Mr Ivor Greenstreet of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) had 2.10% while the candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Nasigri Mahama, had 1.98%. All other parties jointly scored 2.55%.
However, a statement issued by the National Security Council Secretariat signed by Col. EWK Nibo (rtd) said: “We wish to categorically state on record that the BNI has not conducted any such polls, either by itself or in collaboration with any pollster. We would like to emphasise that as, and when, a research or investigation of public interest is conducted, it will be put out for public consumption, if the security agencies deem it prudent to do so.”
“We, therefore, wish to bring to the notice of the good people of Ghana that no such report has emanated from the BNI and assure the public that the security agencies will continue to live by their mandate and continue to discharge their professional duties to the benefit of all Ghanaians.”
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