The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso, Dr Kingsley Nyarko is in the trends for the wrong reasons.
He was caught on camera giving out what many see as a white envelope to two Electoral Commission officials (Male and female).
The incident occurred at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station with Polling Station Code F311503 on April 30, 2024 during the Ejisu Constituency by-election.
In a video that has gone viral, Mr Nyarko is seen chit-chatting the two officials, he follows one of them to his workstation and continues with the engagement. Suddenly, he dips his hand, first in the right front pocket of his black trouser, then changes to the right back pocket and brings out the white item (envelope), extends his hand towards the male official, who signals him to place it on the table. He obliges and leaves the scene.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana has consequently commenced investigation into the incident.
In a press release issued by Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, the Commission condemned the incident.
“The Electoral Commission has taken immediate steps and has withdrawn the two (2) temporary staff while investigations take place.
“The Commission upholds the principles and values of integrity, truth and transparency. These values are reinforced during the training of all temporary staff. The Commission will not countenance acts which 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,” Mr Tettey wrote.
Meanwhile, the EC’s Director of Elections, Dr Serebuor Quiacoe has stressed that the Commission can only comment further on the matter after thorough investigations.
“From the video we see a white thing, whether it is envelope, handkerchief or white paper, we have to find out what it was meant for etc.” he said in an interview with JoyNews.
Later in an interview with journalists, Mr Kingsley Nyarko explained the reason for the tense by-election in Ejisu, which is the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He stated that the NPP is not leaving any stone unturned because one of the other aspirants, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, was once upon a time a Member of Parliament for the area for twelve years.
Therefore, he has footprints in the constituency. To that end, they are not taking chances at all in the elections, he said.
“We are working so hard to win this election, don’t forget that our main opponent was a member of the party, and had been MP for 12 years, so he has a footprint. That is why we are saying that we are doing everything possible, working hard to ensure that we win the elections, we will do everything appropriate to win it,” he told journalists.
The by-election in the Ejisu Constituency became necessary after the demise of the incumbent MP, Dr John Kumah. Dr Kumah died aged 45 after short illness.
Six candidates are contesting for the vacant seat.
