The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has withdrawn two temporary staff members over an alleged bribery incident at the ongoing Ejisu Constituency By-Elections in Ashanti Region.
“The Electoral Commission has taken immediate steps and has withdrawn the two (2) temporary staff while investigations take place,” the EC said in a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon.
The EC took action after a video surfaced on social media showing a person approaching a table at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station and dropping an envelope on the table manned by the Presiding Officer and Ballot Issuer.
“The Commission upholds the principles and values of integrity, truth, and transparency. These values are reinforced during the training of all temporary staff,” said Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman in charge of operations at the commission, in a statement.
“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 EC assured to release a report on the incident to the public once investigations are complete
Voting is ongoing in the Ejisu constituency today April 30, 2024, to elect a new Member of Parliament (MP) for the area.
This by-election was called after the death of former New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker John Kumah.
The election keenly being contested between the NPP candidate Kwabena Boateng and former MP Kwabena Aduomi, who is running independently after leaving the NPP party.
The opposition National Democratic Congress opted out of the election.
Voting is taking place across 204 polling centers in the constituency, where 106,812 registered voters can cast their ballots from 7 am to 5 pm. The results will be announced at the Coalition Centre, located at the Catholic Church in Ejisu.
Six candidates, including three independent contenders, are running in the by-election.
Source : Ghana /Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
