The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has disclosed that its initial investigation into the white envelope handed over to its polling station officials during the Ejisu by-election indicates that the envelope contained money for lunch.
A viral video shows two polling station officials receiving a white envelope from a man. The Commission clarified that the man voluntarily offered the money to the officials. Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations at the Electoral Commission, Samuel Tettey, stated in a release dated April 30, 2024, that the man approached the officials, asked if they had eaten, placed the envelope on their table, and instructed them to use it for lunch before walking away.
The two officials involved were named as Regina Serwaa, Ballot Issuer, and George Sasu, Presiding Officer at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station. They were temporary election officials recruited for the Ejisu by-election.
Following the incident, the EC has taken swift actions by withdrawing the services of the two officials and initiating discussions with the Ghana Police Service to commence a criminal investigation into the matter.
Although the man who offered the envelope remains unnamed in the EC’s release, subsequent interviews identified him as the NPP MP for Kwadaso, Dr. Kingsley Nyarko. Dr. Nyarko has denied any wrongdoing and questioned why the polling agents present did not protest if he was engaged in any misconduct.
The EC has assured the public of their commitment to conducting free and fair elections and has emphasized that necessary actions will be taken to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
