The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has retained the Ejisu seat and its Majority position in Parliament after its parliamentary candidate Kwabena Boateng was declared winner in the just-ended Ejisu-by election held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
He beat his closest contender, Former Ejusi MP, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, who ran as an independent candidate, by securing 55.8 percent of the total votes cast.
Kwabena Owusu Aduomi garnered 43.3 percent of the total votes.
Beatrice Boakye of the Liberal Party had 0.3 per cent. Esther Osei of the Convention People’s Party received 0.2 percent of the vote. Independent Candidates Joseph Agyemang and Atakora Joseph had 0.2 percent and 0.0 percent respectively.
The poll was not devoid of controversy, as reports of vote-buying, confiscation of identification cards, and other electoral malpractice surfaced during the just-ended elections.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has suspended two officials who were allegedly caught accepting a bribe during the Ejisu by-election.
The accusation involves Kingsley Nyarko, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, who was seen in a viral video handing what appeared to be an envelope to the EC officials.
“The Electoral Commission has taken immediate steps and has withdrawn the two (2) temporary staff while investigations take place.
“The commission upholds the principles and values of integrity, truth and transparency. These values are reinforced during the training of all temporary staff.
“The commission will not countenance acts which cast a slur on the integrity of the institutions and will not hesitate to sanction its officials who violate its laws,” the Commission stated.
Kingsley Nyarko has denied allegations of attempting to bribe electoral officers. He reaffirmed his readiness to fully cooperate with any investigations that may ensue.
Background
Six candidates were cleared by the Electoral Commission, EC, to contest in the Ejisu by-election in the Ashanti Region.
The Ejisu seat had been vacant since March 7, 2024, following the death of its Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. John A. Kumah, who is yet to be buried.
Nominations opened by the Electoral Commission were officially closed on Thursday, April 18, with six candidates, comprising two females and four males, successfully filing their nominations and being cleared to contest.
The candidates were; Esther Osei representing the Convention People’s Party (CPP) who picked the number one spot, followed by the NPP’s Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, Beatrice Boakye of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), and a former NPP MP who contested as an independent candidate, Ing. Kwabena Owusu Aduomi.
The other two candidates were Gabriel Agyemang Joseph and Attakorah Joseph, both running as independents for the 5th and 6th positions, respectively.