THE NEW Patriotic Party (NPP) has successfully bought to retain the Ejisu parliamentary seat with its candidate, Kwabena Boateng, polling 27,772 giving 55.8% in Tuesday’s by-election.
His closest contender Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, a 3 times former Member of Parliament for the area who ran as an independent candidate, obtained 21,534 votes resulting in 43.3%.
The total turnout was only 49.7%.
Other contenders; Esther Osei of the CPP received 0.2% of votes, Beatrice Boakye of the LPG received 0.3%, Gabriel Agyemang Joseph, an independent candidate had 0.4% whilst Attakorah Joseph, also an independent candidate, received 0.0% votes.
During the election, there were evidence and some allegations of vote-buying leveled by Ing. Owusu Aduomi against the NPP. But to cover shame, Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), the NPP’s National Organiser, dismissed the claims, claiming the allegations were attempts for gain sympathy votes.
In a related development, the Electoral Commission (EC) had to withdraw two of its officials following allegations of bribery.
In a press release signed by Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, the EC said during by-election, the EC’s attention was drawn to a video circulating on social media showing an individual dropping an envelope on the table manned by a presiding officer and a ballot issuer at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station with code F311503.
Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the EC’s Director of Electoral Services, urged Ghanaians not to condemn the officers involved until investigations into the issue are conducted.
