The Electoral Commission (EC) has indicated that it has taken immediate steps and withdrawn the two temporary staff who allegedly accepted bribes during the ongoing Ejisu by-election.
In a viral video circulating on various media platforms, an individual who has been identified as the MP for Kwadaso, Hon. Kingsley Nyarko, was seen placing a white envelope on the table in front of the EC officials during the Ejisu by-election.
“The Commission’s attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media depicting one of the Polling Stations at the ongoing Ejisu Constituency By-Elections. The Polling Station has been identified as the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station with Polling Station Code F311503”.
Electoral Commission
The statement issued by the EC indicated that the commission is currently probing the issue, meanwhile it has removed the staff involved from their posts to ensure that the integrity of the election is not tempered with.
The statement reiterated that the video shows a gentleman approaching the table and dropping an envelope, whose content is not known, on the table manned by the Presiding Officer and Ballot Issuer.
The Commission through the statement further indicated that the commission upholds the principles and values of integrity, truth, and transparency.
As such, the commission emphasized that these values are reinforced during the training of all staff of the EC, including its temporary staff.
Moreover, the Commission noted that it will not countenance acts that cast a slur on the integrity of the institution and will not hesitate to sanction its officials who violate its laws.
“The report on the incident will be made available to the public in due course”. – EC
Commenting on the alleged bribery incident, Hon. Kwabena Aduomi, a contestant in the election, stated that it is primitive for anyone to bribe electorates to vote in his or her favor.
He emphasized that electorates must be allowed to vote without monetary influence as it enables politicians to know why electorates vote for them or otherwise.
“How can a whole party not get any meaningful project in the constituency to canvass for votes but rather they have to go and share money before they get people to vote for them? It is unfortunate, the party should sit up and look into their operations”.
Hon. Kwabena Aduomi
Government Advised To Sit Up
Moreover, he indicated that the government cannot continue to buy electorates’ votes as Ghanaians are many and it will be difficult to share money during the general election to influence voter choices.
As such, he advised the government to assess its performance in various constituencies and regions, build consensus with Ghanaians, and assure them of the party’s commitment to their development.
He further stated that the reported incident of bribery at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station, as well as other similar incidents that have been brought to his attention, substantiated his earlier assertion that the NPP is attempting to compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Additionally, he revealed that, according to his sources, the NPP has plans to deploy individuals to seize ballot boxes upon the closure of polls.
He emphasized that he has brought this information to the attention of the law enforcement authorities, specifically the police, in order to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and prevent any potential disruptions or irregularities.
As such, he indicated that he is not perturbed about the money being shared by the NPP or the alleged bribing of the EC officials at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station.
He reiterated that the electorates will decide who best represents their interest despite the attempt of the NPP to rig the election.
Conclusively, the Ejisu by-election has drawn attention due to the candidacies of two prominent figures. Although the NPP has a support base in the constituency, the former MP’s popularity poses a significant challenge to the party’s chances of winning the election.
