The Electoral Commission has withdrawn two of its temporary staff manning the ongoing by-election in the Ejisu Constituency.
The commission has also sanctioned investigation into allegations of bribery involving the two suspended officials, it says in a statement.
“The Electoral Commission has taken immediate steps and has withdrawn the two temporary staff while investigations take place”.
This follows allegations of bribery levelled against a Presiding Officer and Ballot Issuer at one of the polling stations after the Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Dr. Kingsley Nyarko was caught on camera dropping an envelope on a table overseen by the two.
Though what is contained in the envelope is yet to be known, it is suspected to be money, raising concerns about a possible comprise.
The EC, in a statement announcing their withdrawal, stated that, “the commission upholds the principles and values of integrity, truth and transparency. These values are reinforced during the training of all temporary staff”.
It added, “the commission will not countenance acts which cast a slur on the integrity of the institution and will not hesitate to sanction its officials who violate its laws”.
It indicated that it will make available findings of the investigation to the public in due course.
Voting is ongoing in the constituency to elect a Member of Parliament for the area following the death of Area’s MP John Kumah which left the seat vacant.
There are reports of low voter turnout as witnessed in past by-elections and allegations of vote-buying.
