The Member of Parliament for Kwadaso constituency, Dr Kingsley Nyarko, made headlines for the wrong reasons recently. He was captured on camera giving what appeared to be a white envelope to two Electoral Commission officials at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station during the Ejisu Constituency by-election.
In a video that quickly went viral, Mr Nyarko can be seen engaging with the officials before discreetly retrieving the envelope from his pocket and handing it to one of them. The Electoral Commission has since launched an investigation into the incident.
The Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, issued a statement expressing the Commission’s disapproval of such actions. He assured the public that the necessary steps have been taken, including the withdrawal of the two temporary staff involved, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Dr Serebuor Quiacoe, the EC’s Director of Elections, emphasized that further comments on the matter would be made after a thorough investigation. Mr Nyarko later explained the heightened tension during the by-election, attributing it to the stronghold status of the NPP in the area and the legacy of the former MP, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi.
The Ejisu Constituency by-election was necessitated by the unfortunate passing of the incumbent MP, Dr John Kumah. Six candidates are vying for the vacant seat in the upcoming election.