“I Haven’t Bribed Anyone”: NPP MP in Viral Video from Ejisu By-election Clarifies

Kingsley Nyarko, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Constituency, has firmly denied allegations of attempting to sway electoral officials during the recent parliamentary by-election in the Ejisu Constituency.

A video emerged showing Nyarko placing a white envelope on a table at a polling station while interacting with officials from the Electoral Commission overseeing the election.

While the Electoral Commission initially confirmed that their preliminary investigation revealed the presence of money in the envelope, Nyarko has maintained his innocence.

Addressing the media amidst the controversy, Nyarko stated, “If I were to influence them, do you think I would do it in such a public space? That is why I am saying that I have not bribed anybody, I have not influenced anybody to do anything untoward for my candidate; I have not done that.”

Although Nyarko declined to disclose the contents of the envelope when pressed by journalists, the Electoral Commission’s statement clarified that it contained money intended for the officials’ lunch.

“Our investigations further revealed that the man in the video walked to the table and asked them whether they had eaten. He then placed the envelope on the table and asked them to use the contents for lunch, after which he walked away,” the EC explained.

Identified as Regina Serwaa, a ballot issuer, and George Sasu, the Presiding Officer, the two election officers involved have had their services withdrawn by the commission, which has also initiated discussions with the Ghana Police Service to commence criminal investigation processes into the matter.