The Electoral Commission (EC) has withdrawn two of its temporary officials over allegations of bribery in the ongoing by-elections in the Ejisu constituency in the Ashanti region.
In a press release signed by the Deputy Chairman in charge of operations, Samuel Tettey noted the attention of the Commission has been drawn to a video circulating on social media depicting one of the polling stations.
He identified the polling station as Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station with code F311503, stating “the video showed a gentleman approaching the table and dropping an envelope on the table manned by the presiding Officer and the Ballot Issuer.”
Mr Tettey added: “The Commission upholds the principles and values of integrity, truth and transparency. These values are reinforced during the training of all temporary staff”.
The Deputy Chairman announced that the Commission has therefore taken immediate steps to withdraw the two temporary staff while investigations take place.
He emphasized that “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 the law.”
He further promised the EC will make public the report of the ongoing investigations on the incident in due course.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, Professor Kingsley Nyarko has been fingered the alleged bribery allegations after he caught on camera handing over an envelope suspected to contain cash to the EC polling officials.
In a video which has since gone viral on social media, Mr. Nyarko was seen surreptitiously putting the white envelope from his pocket and placing it on the table in front of the EC officials.
