Kwadaso MP Kingsley Nyarko has said his innocent attempt to feed two hungry officials of the Electoral Commission during the recently-held Ejisu by-election, has been misconstrued as an attempt to bribe them.

Dr Nyarko was captured by the lenses of the media passing a white envelope to two officials, who were later withdrawn by the EC after the footage went viral on social media.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 2 May 2024, however, Dr Nyarko explained: “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”, he noted.

“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”, Dr Nyarko insisted.

He 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”.

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 apologise 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