Dr Kingsley Nyarko, MP, Kwadaso has denied bribing the Electoral Commission temporal staff during the Ejisu by-election.
In a statement he issued on Thursday, May 2, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP stressed that the EC “has over the years built an image of credibility, integrity, honesty and discipline, and I will not do anything untoward to erode such virtues.”
“I have endeavoured, over the years, to build an image of integrity, credibility, honesty, kindness and discipline and I will not do anything deliberately to diminish it. In fact, those who know me will attest to that.”
The MP said “Although I acted in good faith, it seems my good intention and action have been misconstrued to mean I have bribed or influenced the electoral officers. That was not the case. I did not bribe anybody.”
He was responding to the viral video in which head seen dropping a white envelope on the table manned by the presiding Officer and the Ballot Issuer.
After the video went viral, the EC withdrew the two temporal staff and asked the Police to proceed with criminal investigations into the matter.
The MP in his statement said he was assigned five pollung stations to supervised during the by-election in Fumesua.
“During my numerous rounds, and upon reaching the Pentecost church polling station, I interacted with the officers to find out if the election process at the polling station was coming up well and the numbers that had registered at that time.”
“The officers indicated that the process was smooth but at that time their food had not been delivered. I then asked them if they would be okay if I offered them lunch. They accepted it and I put an envelope on the table in the full glare of all.”
The MP further stated “unequivocally, and in all honesty that, the gesture shown by me to the electoral officers was with good intent, and not to bribe nor influence them to act contrary to their conscience, conviction and character.”
Read his full statement below;
Alleged Bribery of Electoral Commission Officers during the By-election at Ejisu
It has come to my attention that there is a video in circulation in which I was seen picking a white envelope from my back pocket and dropping it on a table in front of two electoral commission officers.
I would like to state that, on the 30th of April, 2024, when the Ejisu by-election was being held, I was selected by my political party – the New Patriotic Party to supervise five polling stations in Fumesua.
During my numerous rounds, and upon reaching the Pentecost church polling station, I interacted with the officers to find out if the election process at the polling station was coming up well and the numbers that had registered at that time.
The officers indicated that the process was smooth but at that time their food had not been delivered. I then asked them if they would be okay if I offered them lunch. They accepted it and I put an envelope on the table in the full glare of all.
I then left, granted an interview with Adom TV and continued to the other polling stations.
I must state unequivocally, and in all honesty that, the gesture shown by me to the electoral officers was with good intent, and not to bribe nor influence them to act contrary to their conscience, conviction and character.
The electoral commission, over the years, has built an image of credibility, integrity, honesty and discipline, and I will not do anything untoward to erode such virtues.
I have endeavoured, over the years, to build an image of integrity, credibility, honesty, kindness and discipline and I will not do anything deliberately to diminish it. In fact, those who know me will attest to that.
Although I acted in good faith, it seems my good intention and action have been misconstrued to mean I have bribed or influenced the electoral officers. That was not the case. I did not bribe anybody.
As unfortunate as the incident is, I would like to apologize to the commission and the citizenry and assure all and sundry that such an act will never happen again.
I will also gladly submit myself to any process to establish the truth of what transpired at the polling station on that day.
Thank you.
Kingsley Nyarko, MP, Kwadaso
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
