A short video clip showing the NPP MP for Kwadaso, Kingsley Nyarko, handing over a white envelope to two Electoral Officials is being widely circulated online amidst accusations of bribery.
The viral video was allegedly captured during a live news report filed on JoyNews from a polling station in the ongoing Ejisu constituency by-elections (here and here).
Background
The Ejisu constituency parliamentary seat was declared vacant following the death of the sitting MP and former deputy minister of Finance John Kumah.
Six candidates are contesting the election, and they include Esther Osei (CPP), Kwabena Boateng (NPP), Beatrice Boakye (LPG), Kwabena Owusu Aduomi (Independent), Gabriel Agyemang Joseph (Independent) and Attakorah Joseph (Independent).
However, the contest has been described by analysts as a straight fight between the New Patriotic Party candidate and Kwabena Owusu Aduomi – who is a former NPP MP for the constituency.
The two EC officials seen in the viral video have been removed from post, a statement from the Electoral Commission of Ghana has confirmed.
“The Polling Station has been identified as the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station with Polling Station Code F311503,” the Deputy Chairman, Operations at the Electoral Commission, Samuel Tettey has disclosed.
A screenshot of a statement issued by the EC
To further authenticate the viral video GhanaFact checks from JoyNews 10 am live TV broadcast on April 30, 2024, hosted by Ayisha Ibrahim showed the exact moment when the exchange of envelope was captured.
Verdict
The JoyNews live TV broadcast clearly shows the Member of Parliament Kingsley Nyarko giving an envelope to the EC officials. However, the content of the envelope currently remains unknown.
